How do we solve the overpopualtion of horses in the U.S

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Groups push to restart horse slaughter in US

Portland, Oregon (AP) 7-09

Several groups are pushing to renew the slaughter of horses in the U.S., possibly starting in Oregon.

Proponents are pushing Congress to introduce a bill to allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resume inspecting horse meat for human consumption.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs also are considering building a slaughter and processing facility – possibly for pet food – on their reservation north of Madras.

The project was recommended last spring by a coalition of Northwest tribes.

The success of either idea is far from a done deal, however.

A congressional spokesman says bills that favor the slaughtering of horses face a chilly reception.

And a tribal spokesman says it’s too early to say much about a reservation slaughter facility.|

Supporters of horse slaughters say it’s a way to deal with tens of thousands of unwanted horses. Factors in the glut include uncontrolled breeding, closure of the last U.S. horse-processing plants and an economy that left many owners unable to pay for feed and care.

“We think it is very fair and accurate to say there are probably 100,000 horses that would go to processing today” if a plant were available, said Wyoming state Rep. Sue Wallis, a rancher in favor if reinstating horse slaughtering.

Animal-rights advocates say slaughters are inhumane and repugnant.

“This is a predatory business,” said Chris Heyde, spokesman for the Animal Welfare Institute in Washington, D.C., who called reports of horse abandonment exaggerated. “It is making a political game out of a serious issue.”

Until two years ago, as many as 100,000 horses were killed annually in the U.S. for meat for foreign markets.

A federal court ruling in 2007 closed the nation’s last horse-processing plant – Cavel International in DeKalb, Ill. – on the heels of two Texas closures resulting from a state decision to enforce a 1949 ban on horse-meat facilities.

http://indiancountrynews.net/index.php?opt...5&Itemid=33

[Saddle Bronc 124]

How about let "mother nature" decide how many horses is correct?

(in other words, do nothing)

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Critics Worry Measure to Save Wild Horses Is Taxpayer Drain

Taxpayers could be on the hook for $700 million if a measure to put wild horses back home on the range passes Congress.

A bill that would save wild horses and burros in the western United States from controlled killings and set aside millions of acres for them is heading to the Senate after passing the House of Representatives this month.

But the price tag, at a time of economic recession and gaping deficits, has some lawmakers champing at the bit to bridle the movement to finance and save these symbols of the American West.

"People have lost their jobs. They can't keep their homes. And the answer to people losing their homes is -- let's go spend $700 million for homes and welfare for wild horses," said Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas.

"The leaders of this Congress have more concern for creating a home for horses than jobs for Americans," said Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah.

Wild mustangs and burros have been under federal protection for nearly 40 years, but the fast-growing population has become unmanageable.

Under the Restore Our American Mustangs Act, the number of acres that the estimated 36,000 wild horses roam would increase from 33 million to 53 million -- an area larger than New York and New England put together, or about 10 square miles per horse.

Horse lovers have been adopting the animals to save them from being put down, but in this economy, such adoptions have dramatically declined.

Advocates of the bill say it could actually save money by reducing the amount spent on keeping the horses in pens.

"It's not good for the horses and it's wasting money, frankly," said Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va.

Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., called the current program "terribly ineffective."

But foes see the plan as a clear drain on taxpayer dollars. The new bill would provide millions for contraception, rounding up thousands of animals each year for castration and even birth control pills. The Congressional Budget Office estimated it would cost about $200 million over the next five years, and up to $500 million after 2013 to secure the additional land.

"This is bad environmental policy. It's bad grass policy," said Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/29...taxpayer-drain/

[Ban Hammer 13,625]

moved from general polls to off topic.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

moved from general polls to off topic.

I was writing the poll questions! Honest! We can keep it here.

Edited July 30, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[familyguy 2]

Put them on the menu

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

mmmhhh horse sandwich...

Edited July 30, 2009 by Mr. Big Dog

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Ignore the poll!

Edited July 30, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[Peikko 1,575]

You suck at polls bill

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You suck at polls bill

It's my little finger. I launched the poll before I was finished. That was after making the poll twice, only to find Charles moved it after I posted without a poll, and I couldn't launch the poll from the general polls forum. I give up!

[Peikko 1,575]

I suck at spelling.

[MissStacey 1]

[amberdima 6]

dude- the horse population? what about the skunk-rabbit-possum-deer-groundhog population? cos these b!tches are invading my yard. i mean- my cat is taking good care of the newborn rabbits, but #######- that skunk keeps spraying my dog's face.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Have humans marry them?

[Carlawarla 1]

I just saw a segment on the "f word" of Gordon Ramsey's the other day on eating horse! It was most interesting. Apparently it's not illegal to purchase or eat horses in the UK? Anyway, people from the street were trying horse, and said it was very good. Lean...it also has 10 x's the Omega 3 that beef does and is very low in fat.