Reply #23: Here's my answer: a copy of the letter I sent Senator Kerry thanking him

[_dynamicdems]

for co-sponsoring S.1915:

Dear Senator Kerry,

I am writing to you to thank you for your support of S.1915, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Because you have been working on so many hugely important issues and fighting tooth and nail for crucial legislation that affects our lives and our freedoms, I am deeply touched learn you still have time to stand up for our horses too. In light of the fact that our basic human rights are being slowly but methodically erased by this Administration, any issue of animal rights pales by comparison. This bill, however, is as much about people as it is about horses.

In NH, the Bush economy has hurt many working people. There are fewer jobs and the AB (after Bush) jobs that are available pay less than they did BB (before Bush). Horses are just too expensive for people to keep when they are struggling to keep a roof over their own heads. Many small farms have been sold and backyard horses have had to be sacrificed. These are not livestock, but beloved pets. It is heartbreaking for these people (many whom are children) to lose their horses. People are giving away their backyard horses and praying they will not end up in the hands of the killers.

The wealthy will always be able to afford the upkeep of their expensive show horses but the backyard horses owned by young 4-H’ers or Pony Clubbers have a greater chance than ever before of ending up in the slaughterhouse. It is well known in the horse community that there is profit in horsemeat and many horses given free to “good homes” actually end up being sold for meat.

To people who love horses, especially children, horse ownership is not a hobby: it is a lifestyle. Many young children learn about responsibility, hard work, sacrifice and love by owning a horse. It is not only a betrayal of the animal to allow pets to become livestock, but it is a betrayal of the values the child learned in caring for the animal.

Thank you, Senator Kerry. Thank you for co-sponsoring this bill for our horses and for our children who love them.