Enact federal law to halt slaughter of horses for food

The abduction and slaughter of grand prix jumper Phedras De Blondel in Palmetto is an outrage, and we hope the perpetrator of this cruelty will be found and held responsible.

But we also hope this heartbreaking incident serves as motivation to protect thousands of other American horses from suffering a similar fate.

It's unacceptable that each year, more than 100,000 American horses are legally shipped across the border to Mexico and Canada to be slaughtered for human consumption. Just as Phedras was a healthy, happy athlete and companion, the majority of horses shipped to slaughter could also lead productive lives if given the chance.

The horses snatched up by kill buyers at auctions are most often the larger, heavier horses who will bring in more money per pound, not the skinny, sick horses. They are former show horses, race horses and beloved pets who were never intended to wind up on a dinner plate.

The slaughter pipeline is a torturous and undignified end for our companions who deserve so much better. That's why the U.S. Congress must pass the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, S. 1214/H.R. 1942, to outlaw the slaughter of American horses anywhere, whether on U.S. soil or abroad.

Holly Gann, Humane Society of the United States Washington, D.C.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Enact federal law to halt slaughter of horses for food ."