Libertarian Vegan

Montana state representative Ed Butcher (yes, that is his real name) says that his state is a great place to build a horse slaughterhouse and is promoting a bill to make that dream a reality.

Butcher says that the county is in need of a slaughterhouse for horses because of horse abandonment and cruelty towards the animals during hard economic times.  His bill, H. 418, would limit what a state could do to stop or delay construction of a horse slaughterhouse.  The last one in the county (in DeKalb, IL) was shut down in 2007 when courts upheld an Illinois law prohibiting the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

The Humane Society of the United States has said that the bill is bad for both Montana and horses. VP for government affairs Nancy Perry said, “A slaughterhouse killing what are not generally regarded as food animals presents a difficult image problem.”  She also said claims of humane treatment don’t stand up.

However, Butcher remained optimistic about killing horses - “It’s boom!” he said. “The horse is deceased.”

As seen in North Dakota and Wyoming, the strategy of those seeking a horse slaughter plant has been to frame it as they are doing what is best for the animals.  However, does anyone actually believe these plants would only be used for horses that are either past their prime or “unwanted”?  If so, that seems a waste of money.  Simply, horses would begin to be raised solely to be sold to slaughterhouses.

There are many more “unwanted” dogs and cats in this country than unwanted horses - it would make more economic sense to open up slaughterhouses for them.

Butcher made headlines back in 2007 when he referred to an American Indian legislator as “chief” and asked if a chairman’s gavel was a “war club.”  In his”apology,” Butcher said, “It was meant as a compliment.”

Sources: Forbes - Legislator finds MT right for horse slaughter February, 11, 2009

Missoulian - Lawmaker apologises for racist comments toward Indian collegue January 6, 2007

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