HoofPAC ALERT

HoofPAC members, please read the attached press release and act TODAY....call and e-mail.

Humane Political Action Committee
P.O. Box 197, Mahomet, IL 61853 - 217 897 6716

MARCH 24, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Robert Nixon 708 258 6176
Cell 815 474 1643

NEXT - A SLAUGHTERHOUSE FOR CATS AND DOGS FOR ASIAN MEAT

If the arm twisting wins and the public loses, the senate bill that would ban slaughter of horses in Illinois will fail. If that happens, don't be too surprised if foreign companies next come to Illinois to build a slaughterhouse for cats and dogs.

Sound far-fetched. Not so. Who would have thought the Illinois legislature would even consider approving the slaughter of horses for meat shipment overseas. The horse has been an American icon for centuries -they have been a means of transportation, heroes in old western films (Hi Yo Silver, Dig Dirt Tony,), and racetrack entertainment. But, now, Cavel, a foreign owned company, wants to continue slaughtering them in DeKalb Illinois.

There is a bill before the house of representatives (SB1921) that would ban the slaughter but proponents who claim to be concerned about the horse's welfare, are frantically lobbying to kill the bill. The bill is supposed to be voted on Thursday.

Key supporters of the horse slaughter are Illinois Republican legislative leaders Tom Cross (R) Yorkville, Wm. Black (R) Danville, Brent Hassert (R) Romeoville, Mike Bost (R) Carbondale, Eileen Lyons (R) LaGrange, Patricia Lindner (R) Sugar Grove, Tim Schmitz (R) Geneva, Dave Winters (R) Rockford, Dan Brady (R) Bloomington.

Arguments for the slaughter range from what will happen to the poor horses of we don't kill those who are unwanted to we must save the public from an overpopulation of horses that would rival deer.

Of course, there is little horse slaughtering in the US and none of the dire consequences predicted have ever materialized. (Texas is the only other state where they slaughter - HOWEVER, the attorney general of Texas is now in court attempting to shut down the slaughter facilities)

The supportive reasons for killing the bill are without merit. One wonders why legislators fall for them. However, given they are dumb or naive enough to do so - how can anyone really say they wouldn't happily agree to a dog and cat slaughterhouse? To many, this horse slaughter plant is the first step.

The only thing that will save this bill is public outcry by calling their state representative and Tom Cross and Mike Madigan and demand they vote YES for the ban. This is an election year and they may just listen

So please all concerned and especially ALL ILLINOIS RESIDENTS contact (call, fax, e-mail) as many Illinois legislators as you can before January 13th.

Express your strong opinion that Americans do not slaughter or eat their
beloved horses. Horses in American culture are revered as a domesticated, recreational, favored (not eaten) animals.

VOTE YES ON SB1921

Let's Keep America's Horses In The Stable and Off The Table!!!

Cathleen Doyle, founder
HoofPAC