Humane Horseman of the Year: Bill Richardson Recognized for Horse Slaughter Opposition

Bill Richardson, former New Mexico governor, U.S. Energy Secretary and Ambassador to the United Nations, has been chosen as the 2013 Humane Horseman of the Year by The Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS recognized Richardson for his leadership in working to block horse slaughter from resuming on U.S. soil and his efforts to protect New Mexico’s wild mustang and burro population. Each year, The HSUS offers the award to an individual who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to protect America’s equines

Richardson said: “I am truly honored to be recognized by our country’s leading animal advocacy organization and by those who are on the front lines of animal protection every day. My foundation and I are committed to continuing the fight to not only stop horse slaughterhouses from reopening, but to ban horse slaughter outright in the U.S, as well as finding humane solutions to manage our nation’s wild and unwanted horse population.”

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, said: “Governor Richardson makes an impact when he gets involved in negotiations or public policy issues, and horses are lucky he’s used his influence to protect them from people who want to kill healthy animals for profit. Since signing a bill to outlaw cockfighting in his home state, he’s amassed a remarkable record on animal welfare issues, and in 2013 he helped prevent the re-establishing of horse slaughter plants in the United States. He understands that this industry is an inhumane, predatory one, and its work is at odds with the values of the American public.”

Along with actor and director Robert Redford, Richardson formed the Foundation to Protect New Mexico Wildlife, which made its first action to join the federal lawsuit filed by HSUS, Front Range Equine Rescue, Horses For Life Foundation and others, to block the opening of domestic horse slaughter plants. Additionally, Richardson successfully encouraged Navajo Nation president Ben Shelly to abandon his pro-slaughter stance and see the value in managing horse populations with long-term humane solutions.

Richardson’s foundation also focuses on the preservation and protection of New Mexico’s wild mustang and burro population while collaborating with other organizations to raise public awareness of the plight of horses. Richardson has also been active on other animal welfare issues, signing legislation as governor to make New Mexico the 49th state to outlaw cockfighting and advocating that the National Institutes of Health end invasive experiments on chimps and commit to sending them to sanctuaries.

Background:

• According to a national poll conducted in 2012, 80 percent of Americans disapprove of horse slaughter.
• “Kill buyers” gather up horses from random sources and profit by selling healthy horses for slaughter that bring the best price per pound for their meat. USDA reports show that approximately 92 percent of American horses going to slaughter are healthy and would otherwise be able to go on to lead productive lives.
• The methods used to kill horses rarely result in quick, painless deaths, as horses often endure repeated blows to render them unconscious and sometimes remain conscious during the slaughtering process. When horse slaughter plants previously operated in the U.S., the USDA documented severe injuries to horses in the slaughter pipeline, including broken bones and eyeballs hanging from a thread of skin.
• The Safeguard American Food Exports Act, H.R. 1094 / S. 541, introduced last year by U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Reps. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., is a bipartisan measure that would outlaw horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horsemeat.

Source: HSUS

---