People from all over the nation including Wisconsin are descending on the nation's capitol the week of March 4, to support a federal ban on horse slaughter. The meat is used as a delicacy in places like Europe. The law which has version in both the U.S. Senate and House would also ban horses from being transported to other countries to be killed.
Debra Lopez of Americans against Horse Slaughter says horses should be viewed as companions, not livestock. She says here in Wisconsin some farmers who oppose the ban make it an issue of private property rights. "Private property rights do not give you the right to abuse an animal and a horse going to slaughter is abuse," says Lopez, "the transportation is horrendous."
"It's not the old, infirmed that are going to slaughter," she says. She says its younger, healthy horses that would definitely be able to find a home.
Wisconsin currently has no horse slaughterhouses. A bill was introduced by State Senator Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee) last fall to ensure there never is one.