Staff
Governo Fallin signaled Friday evening her support for House Bill 1999, the controversial bill allowing for horse slaughter in Oklahoma.
In an online interview with Ron Hays, of the Oklahoma Farm Report posted online Friday evening, Fallin was asked if she could support the legislation which allows for horse processing plants.
“Yes, I think it’s a bill I can support,” Fallin said.
The legislation, authored by Rep. Skye McNiel of Kellyville, is expected to sail through the Senate as early as Tuesday. Fallin has five days after it reaches her desk to sign or veto the bill.
Hays beat the stat’e’s leading news outlets to the story, and his full interview with Fallin can be heard online at OklahomaFarmReport.com.
The horse slaughter issue first made headlines when out-of-state animal rights activists gathered to protest.
House Speaker T.W. Shannon rushed McNiel’s bill through the House with unexpected speed after the animal rights groups reportedly filed what appears to be a baseless ethics complaint against McNiel.
The horse slaughter legislation received overwhelming bi-partisan support and the little opposition came mostly from urban Democrats.
Thousands of animal rights enthusiasts and self-described “horse warriors” filled legislator emails and Facebook pages with explosive commentary and graphic photography. Each side has spent significantly to air radio spots which continued Friday nd are expected to broadcast into next week.
The governor made her remarks at the Oklahoma Youth Expo, where she was honored for her support for the “World’s Largest Youth Livestock.” show.
In her interview with Hays, Fallin said horse processing is an issue that is “very important to the agriculture industry.”
“There’s certainly been a lot of debate about it in our state. It’s important that we have a humane way to take care of abandoned horses and those that are getting older and have been abandoned,” she said.
The measure also was endorsed Friday by Senate Pro-tem Brian Bingman, and with all three leaders on board, is headed full steam ahead with little chance of being stopped, insiders report.
HOW & WHY DO POLITICANS NOT LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE???!!!???? EU JUST BANNED USA HORSEMEAT —DEAR GOD WHY MUST THEY BE LIKE THIS
I am so tired of and sickened by the endless news stories of horses that have been abused and left to starve to death. Tell me, would you rather starve to death, die of untreated illness, be abused until your last breath, OR be quickly and humanely put to death? I opt for a humane death. People don’t stop to think. It’s not all Black Beauty and My Friend Flicka out there folks. Horses are expensive to keep, and too many unqualified people take them without thinking. Do you realize how many horses are kept in horse sanctuaries at tax payer expense, making the individuals that board them very rich? All of you protesting horse slaughter, put your money where your mouths are.
I don’t call being struck in the head 6-7 times with a captive bolt (designed for cattle) a humane death. Then when/if that doesn’t work, you are strung up and cut open, while still alive & conscious because said captive bolt didn’t render you unconscious. Also, I’ve been a board member for an Oklahoma horse rescue for over 5 years and I can tell you not once have we received assistance via tax payer money…NOT ONCE! You are very wrong about that. We actually save tax payers money by taking on horses who are picked up by the county and animal welfare (city) therefore alleviating them of the financial responsibility. In my herd of 9, I own 2 horses who came off of the overturned semi truck that was heading to slaughter & wrecked here in Oklahoma. I see them everyday. One a 2 year old, the other a 6 year old. Neither are old, crippled, crazy or lame & both are very much wanted. I do put my money where my mouth is. Do you?
@ bett..you know nothing about rescues…they are not run on tax-payer money! they rely on donations…volunteers….and use their own personal finances! the wild horses that live on government land are not being fed or taken care of…only horrifically rounded up ….held in cramped pens ..for months..then secretly sold to butchers! big rich cattlemen want the horses removed so they can use the land for their cattle! they have their own land and ranches! but, greed, money, and big kick-backs, to your politicians, come into play! do you realize that if the slaughter house opens…the only ones who would be willing to take those jobs are ILLEGALS. who will do anything for a dollar…and also future serial killers…the people who torture, maim, and kill animals for the thrill of it! this os a proven fact…serial killers start by torturing all kinds of animals. i guess, that is the kind of state in which you would love to live! it is a very sad day in this country when terrorists,convicts, ILLEGALS, and pedophiles get such bleeding-heart compassion…and it turns it’s back on our LEGAL elderly, poor, and animals! this country used pride itself on setting an example for the rest of the world…on humanity, and compassion! GOD help us …for we as a nation are doomed!
I agree 100%. I have seen way to many horses left to starve to death or left alone some where.
horse slaughter plants DO NOT take these horses. Get informed. There is SO much info out there
Show me the facts and pictures… Show me just how many US horse go to slaughter each year that are healthy due to over breeding from big name breeders knowing that they have a trash can that will cost them nothing and still line their pockets at the expense of the American tax payers…
And what walked away… Show me the pictures. Tell me that you called someone to step in to stop it…
Your words are SOOOOOO right. It’s people who have no clue as to what is going on that believe they know what is right.
Yes I would those are the ones that are rescue 99 % of the time and saved.. It is not the sick, old or abandoned that end up at slaughter. It is the well breed young healthy horses that have a lot of meat on their bones that go to slaughter… Horse slaughter is a TRASH CAN for those who want to clean out each year or don’t want to feed or didn’t sell and breed knowing they have a way out…
The reason is $$$. All their other excuses are lies and nonsense. Why can’t tbey just admit that they’ve failed at producing any viable jobs – so now tbey are desoerate for whatever they can make-up. They want to enrich themselves and their families/cronies. They want ti get re-elected and remain on the governme t payroll.
What I do not understand, why is it ok to kill a baby(abortion) but not put a horse down who is in pain or old or has a bad cut. Makes no sence to me and I own 4 horses love them dearly but if one was sick and hurting and could not be healed I would personally give it a shot to put it down. I think the way of killings should be the issue not the humanly putting a horse down. Lot more humane than abortion.
Your are so right the EU ban has ban is which is why so many pro-slaughter groups in the US are pushing to open up horse slaughter in the USA… They want to sale it to the American people Sue Wallis has even set up a survey to see if there is a market in the USA for toxic horse meat… Please feel free to check it our… Just type in the IEBA survey. Horses are not raised as food animals and the push to have horses slaughter is all about money and the American people will not be making it but paying it our with our tax dollars…
“Out-of-state animal rights activists?”
Are you KIDDING ME?
80% of Oklahomans are OPPOSED to horse slaughter.
Slaughter has never proven to prevent abandonment or neglect of horses.
MOST horses going to slaughter do not begin to meet the criteria here described.
Domestic horses are given a multitude of pharmaceuticals specifically forbidden in MEAT ANIMALS. Drugs that are known to be toxic to humans … which is why horse meat is NOT approved for human consumption in the USA. Exporting CONTAMINATED MEAT is NOT ETHICAL.
Russia and the EU have banned the import of American horsemeat – BECAUSE IT IS unregulated and known to be toxic. There is no market for this “product.”
USDA inspections are paid for by United States taxpayers; who are across-the-board opposed to horse slaughter.
When horse slaughter resumes, there will be no guarantee that the European “fake beef” crisis will not happen here.
I am participating in a nationwide boycott of all things O-KILLhoma, and will never purchase beef or beef products until this disgusting business is put to an end.
Shame, OKILLhoma!
You, Arla, do not know what you speak of. Have you ever seen a horse that has been tied to a tree and left to die of starvation? I have! I have also seen the numerous dumped out donkeys that no one wants anymore. The people of the county pay $5-$8 per day per donkey and have to pay for a minium of 21 days (per law) before they are offered for sale.
But you my dear or paying for their horses to be slaughter even if you don’t eat horse meat. 40,000 per plant and so far 6 plants want to open in the USA… So what do you think… Do you want to line the pockets of a few because they want to keep right on breeding but don’t want to pay to have a horse put down when they can’t sell it or are done with it… Should we also open the door to allow dogs, cats and even rats to be slaughter and pay our tax dollars for someone to get rich off animals that the American people do not eat?
Oklahoma I have a question legislators, I would like to know how you plan on exporting horse meat out of your state without USDA inspections? Since there will be limited funds for inspectors who inspect products used here do you really think that the American public will allow your horsemeat to be inspected and your beef not be?? We also know that the meat products being to the DU is coming from Canada, this is also where most of our beef in supermarkets is coming from Are You Even The Least curious if you are already eating toxic horsemeat in your beef. Something to think about don’t you think? Until our products are tested do you want horsemeat on your table???
This shows you what happens when the Politicians don’t listen to the people. They have their own agenda and have rushed this through. They aren’t listening to the people that support this state. There are more citizens that aren’t farmers, ranchers or hunters but for some reason our politicians think that killing horses is a good thing. They have been provided with many facts, reports, information but have chosen to ignore all of it. They have not allowed the Public to voice their opinions, they have ignored the polls showing over 80% of the citizens oppose horse slaughter.
They have not provided and facts, statistics etc. of estray horses, seized horses, but only numbers of horses being sold through sales. According to the proponents of horse slaughter the reason Oklahoma needs this is to do away with the old, starving, neglected horses. Those horses are not what is used for human consumption. Horses are not raised for consumption. This state has increased the danger of my horses being stolen and slaughtered.
Oklahoma probably won’t miss me when I sell my land and homes, pull my horses from my horse trainer and leave this state.
All you politicians that are going against the will of over 80% of US taxpayers, you will get yours……taxpayers will NOT stand for big money running this government….your time will come!
Pure greed. Just wait until the people of Oklahoma find out – and the rest of the nation. Everyone in support of this bill is committing political suicide.
Gov Fallin’s ignorance to the problem is obvious in her statement about the problem focused on old, abandoned horses. Does she have a clue that OK will open the hell gate for much more irresponsible breeding across the US. Wake up Fallin! Young, very young horses are sent to slaughter. The AMQH and TBred breeders are the core issue. The fact is the majrority of Amercians are against horse slaughter, not some small sector of animal rights activists. Follow the blood money trail Governor.
“There’s certainly been a lot of debate about it in our state. It’s important that we have a humane way to take care of abandoned horses and those that are getting older and have been abandoned” quote from Gov. Fallin. Please note that most of these horses are not “older” (most are under 8 yr. in age) and if they are underweight due to not being cared for and are abandoned, the slaughter houses won’t take them. There is also no such thing as “humane” slaughter. This will not solve the problem. In fact, it will add to the overpopulation problem as well as increasing crime (horse theft) – both well documented in states that had horse slaughter in the past. Beware of unintended consequences such as these plus economic and environmental impacts.
It is clear that the government of OK has no regard for what the citizens of OK want. You talk about outside influence…but you ARE being influenced by outside sources…just the ones with more money than the anti slaughter group. If you have the nerve to say that you are looking for a HUMANE way to euthanize old sick horses it just goes to show that one-you don’t know much about slaughter and two- there is nothing humane about slaughter and three- slaughter houses don’t want old and sick horeses… they will be killing perfectly good sound horses… so go ahead and wear those blinkers…then go watch them kill our beautiful horses and listen to their screams…hope you lose some sleep over this…
i GUESS IT IS OK TO euthanize OLD PEOPLE AND ABORT BABIES BUT NOT HORSES. GIVE ME A BREAK
I am against the labeling of people as out of state or animal rights. Can I not be one federal American taxpayer that says “No I don’t want Horses slaughtered in Oklahoma or anywhere in the United States because I don’t want $5 Million Dollars spent to come out and inspect a slaughterhouse so that Oklahoma can grind up horses instead of solving this issue” You can tax the Oklahoma race tracks and breeders to hire OK state DVMs to euthanize strays and abused animals PERIOD. That $5 Million can go better toward Homeless Vets or lunch money and WIC that was cut in the budget. Now does that make me an imal rightist? No it makes me a Conservative caring person who wants to stop Oklahoma legislators from putting lipstick on a pork barrell pig so McNeil can line her pockets and Allen can destroy the Beef supply in Oklahoma. Besides they will kill the horses and take away your guns so where is that Hard Hearted tough fighting Cowboy now, Walking around throwing sticks? tourism just won’t be the same. Only cowboys left will be on Broadway in a play. Will Rogers would be so ashamed of Oklahoma -!!!!
Bovines and equines (cattle and horses) are both supposed to be “rendered insensible with a single (1) shot” before vivisection, before they hang on the hook, according to Federal Law. A large percentage (at least 40%) of horses regain consciousness on slaughter lines after they are hanging. The captive-bolt is ineffective at rendering them senseless and they are routinely shot in the head multiple times before their vivisection for harvesting is completed. Animal advocates are outraged over this because of the extremity of this barbaric practice. This is evidenced in the following video, as well as many that can be found on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwPqh43_NkM.
The specific fact that equines commonly have to be struck multiple times with the captive-bolt, or shotgun, is what makes commercial horse slaughter in the U.S. a clear violation of the Humane Slaughter Act of 1958. The meat produced contains dangerous levels of adrenaline and cortisol, in addition to all the prohibited substances and medications given U.S. horses. It’s bad meat and baaad business.
Karin, they do not care. Elected folks have proved that they have no interest in tbe desires or health of their constituents. The fact that federal money will be used – they don’t give a shit. People can be so horrible and the elected folks ara prime example. Our nation is a mess when it comes to values and money. As a sunday school teacher, educator and as a voice for the voiceless I find rhis circumstance beyond comprehension and profoundly sad. Human will is the master of screww-ups. What would Jesus do? For starters… He would tell the truth.
And…He would not use the “s” word on a public domain website…or use it at all, for that matter.
i TOTALLY AGREE, BUT I PERSONALLY THINK WE OUGHT TO HAVE MORE CARE FOR OUR UNBORN CHILDREN AND BRINGING GOD BACK TO OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY AND NOT HAVE TO FEEL ASHAMED TO PRAY OR BE ALLOWED TO. I LOVE ANIMALS AND I STILL FEEL LIKE AN ANIMAL SHOULD NOT BE PLACED BEFORE A HUMAN AND ABORTIONS AND OUR GOD GIVEN RIGHT SHOULD BE THE ISSUE AT HAND.
This is absolutely incredible. The horrific horrific cruelty aside, there is no market for horse meat in the EU!!!!! What has the Farm Bureau put in her coffee?? The EU has ruled not to accept horse meat from the United States! Horses ARE companion animals, the meds they are given WILL NEVER be accurately monitored…especially when the people that are selling them, or the horrific individuals called “kill buyers” that buy them to ship to slaughter will lie about the meds dosed, JUST FOR A BLOODY BUCK. Thank God that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, even stated that there needs to be an alternative to horse slaughter, due to the many nightmarish problems it will create. With all of the sound business and health reasons aside to ban horse slaughter, you have the issue of a magnificent flight animal that has served us incredibly throughout history, standing there facing a bolt or bullet to the head…and they KNOW it is coming. Slaughtering a horse for human consumption is just plain barbaric, and DISGUSTING! Please check out these two links for the facts on the subject.
http://www.petside.com/article/eu-will-not-accept-horse-meat-imported-united-states
and
http://www.kusi.com/video?clipId=8679650&autostart=true
Actually Mike, Jesus was a very down to earth person, he hung out with people society rejected, he think he did use words like that.
These politicians have given up their souls for greed. There’s a verse in the bible that says something like “If a man gains the whole world, what does it matter if he loses his soul?” They have these lame excuses, saying it’s a humane way to dispose of neglected horses, but there’s nothing humane about slaughter.
Mary Fallin just showed her unethical side to allow toxic meat into our food chain. I have an Oklahoma voters registration card and I know how to use it.
At this point he may say much worse!! I hope that people will wake up and see that these idiot’s are only doing what is good for them, they are greedy money hungry losers, they don’t care what the majority of the people want, maybe people will wake up and not vote them back in office they are a joke and an embarrassment to the State of Oklahoma! And by the way I am a registered voter in the State of Oklahoma!
Hmmmm. Odd that even she would stoop so low as to repeat that lies that are the mantra of horse abusers and killers.
All this time, we actually thought she had integrity and pride in the ability to listen to the majority and NOT the outsiders of American Farm Bureau ($102,000 donations to OK 2012 election cycle ), and the Koch Brother (neither live in Oklahoma) funded ALEC and allowed the OUTSIDERS of Pro horse slaughter lobbyists and advocate, from Oregon, Dave Duquette, and his sidekick in killing, Wyoming St. legislator, and AG GAG Law pusher Sue Wallis. Google those two OK and get an eye full of what lack of character and honesty those two have.
How much did the the Europeans, who will run the OK killing house, promise the Governor to allow them to kill horses in her state? How much did the Cattleman’s Association promise her for the next election? And how much more money will be given to OK by American Farm Bureau made off the insurance policies of Oklahomans that are vastly AGAINST this horror in our state?
Yes, the devils are walking among us alright and they are not the “animal activists” like they are trying to blame.
I grew up in the horse/agriculture industry, my father was also a petroleum landman and attorney. I have spent my entire life showing horses and I am now a riding instructor in Colorado and have been for many years.
The horses in the U.S. are companion/working animals and are de-wormed regularly (every 3 months) with a very toxic chemical. Bute and Banamine are given like aspirin. Thee is a laundry list of medications that are given to them regularly for varios ailments. All are toxic to humans and are unsafe for himan consumption.
On the cruelty side, you and I both know that there is nothing humane about horse slaughter from the auction, to transporting them, to the actual kill plant. The people that do this for a living are the lowest of the low. They shoot out the horses eyes to render them defenseless, haul sick and injured horses in a cramped trailer and if they go down – they are trampled, as well as pregnant mares or colicy stressed horses. Many other horrible cruel and inhumane things are done to them as they are naturally fearful creatures and do not always go willingly as cattle will.
Tim Sappington, the man who took video as he killed a horse in New Mexico, speaks volumes for the types of people in the slaughter industry.
Horse slaughter will bring an element to the horse business that we don’t want. Low life’s will be stealing horses right and left to make a quick buck. It will be likened to drug running. . .
80 percent of America is against horse slaughter. I am,a mother, a horse trainer, live in rural america and married to a rancher. I do understand the business and I do not support horse slaughter in the United States.
The rest of the nation is watching, please endorse the SAFE act and let us come up with a better solution in the horse industry.
One word I seldom use yet it seems to apply here is STUPID in spades:
The legislators are STUPID for believing what the Farm Bureau is pushing
The Governor is STUPID because by her statement she thinks slaughter is humane
And last but not least
The People of Oklahoma are STUPID because they voted these culls into office.
Folks you’re being lead down a primrose path of lies and deceit. The Farm Bureau wants an AG GAG bill. The legislators are money grubbing derelicts who care nothing for life when a few dollars are at stake. That’s right…how much will it cost to build an appropriate facility? http://www.kaufmanzoning.net Will the AQHA be able to keep you in culls from their pony mills? And how STUPID will you look after the US Congress outlaws the practicet or defunds the inspections and the EU won’t buy your product?
You’re want to be reeling in the money from a slaughterhouse yet giving up tourism. …can you make that much? Do you really want to be the blackeye of the United States?
As an “OUT OF STATER”, I want you to know, “No, if you build a horse slaughtering house, I will never visit Oklahoma as a tourist. As a matter of fact, I will not even pass through Oklahoma again”.
If you allow this Horse Slaughtering Facility to be built, there are thousands of us in this country who will avoid your state. (80+%)
Americans understand that dogs, cats, and horses are kindred spirits with humans.
We euthanize our dogs and cats, we don’t eat them. We euthanize our horses, and we don’t eat them either.
If this comes to pass, we will remember. We will mourn for those beautiful, young sentient horses for whom you have no compassion, and their sacrifice will motivate us.
And we will quietly wait and watch and oppose all of you who lie, cheat, steal, and kill for profit, because promoting horse slaughter is evil.
“No, I will never visit Oklahoma again.”
So did you vote Obama in STUPID
The Human Food Chain is Not A Disposal System For Displaced ,Abandoned or Old Horses. Slaughter for Consumption is to provide meat from regulated, purpose raised, traceable sources. Try Sourcing Beef,Pork,Poultry or any other meat currently raised for consumption in the USA, the same way the horses will be (randomly gathered by kill buyers) and watch those markets collapse ..Just the fact that some of the Ranchers/Farmers/Ag Groups that do raise the traditional animals used for meat in the USA, are supporting the return of Horse Slaughter Plants is going to have some ramifications..and likely create a entirely new population of vegetarians or vegans,don’t think for a minute that many consumers won’t have concerns of horse meat showing up in ground meats/sausage, or RTE/prepared foods if Horse Slaughter returns in the USA. Keep shootin Your Own feet!
If, in fact, Governor Fallin is in favor of horse slaughter I’m going to guess the good ‘old boys got to her. it won’t matter, Governor, ’cause the good people of Oklahoma will see that you will not be their governor again. Truly disappointing. Skye McNeil is misrepresenting the facts. If you do your homework, you will understand why the majority is opposed to horse slaughter.
Who’s horse is it getting slaughtered? Answer: it belongs (as property) to the person taking it to be slaughtered.
I had two fine gated horses that I could not find adequate hay for due to the drought. I kept them as long as I could. When we finally faced the fact that we had to get rid of them we had a very hard time finding homes for them. Why, because the lower quality horses that people didn’t care about took up all the available space.
If slaughter were legal then those horses would be good meat for somebody in Europe and my sweet horses would have sold to a good home.
Support private property and humane disposal of poor quality riding horses. Support the bill. I applaud Gov Fallin for her support. It is the best thing for the horse industry in our state.
I don’t have a dog [or horse] in this fight. I DO, however, know that the two biggest issues that our state is facing is [1] how to reform workers comp and [2] how far to lower income tax. It therefore baffles me as to why this matter attracts so much enthusiastic comment, when our focus should be on the big issues. BTW, though I really don’t care very much which way the legislature goes on this matter, I do observe that the HSUS has taken a side. The HSUS is a radical organization that would love nothing more than to destroy animal husbandry as it is practiced in this state. Worth thinking about.
you speak the truth, We have far larger issues perhaps people should take as much interest in killing our unborn, not being able to say EASTER,Christmas etc,
80% of Americans do not want horses to be slaughtered in our country or shipped across the borders to countries that do slaughter.
Most American horses are given BUTE at some time in their lives and are not fit for human consumption though the kill buyers don’t reveal that when they sell them for slaughter.
If we get the government out of the horse industry (including the BLM) and set up public groups to oversee horses’ best interest, we will be much better off. The BLM wants to totally wipe out all the Mustangs from the long holding facilities that they have put them in AGAINST the public’s wishes and they want ALL wild horses gone from lands that the Wild Horse and Burro Act set aside for them.
My first comment was for Bett.
I have been a horse lover all of my life and yes, I love them, but you also have to think common sense. You cannot tell people they can’t breed their horses (the gov’t is already telling us we can’t do some things that are our rights as Americans). I know there’s too many people who really don’t know anything about horses and decide they want a colt around. All they see is the “cute” and not the work that goes into it. Isn’t that the same with those against horse slaughter? They see the “cute” in the horse? They are livestock and have a purpose on our farm, but would much rather see them go to a slaughter plant here in the U.S. than be transferred to Mexico. Horses weren’t stolen before when there WAS slaughter plants so not sure why some think it would happen more. It gives a good base for horse prices, too, plus provide a place for unwanted horses to go.
You go Oklahoma…I will continue to visit your great state!!!
Do you know that in the USA that Ex-PMU farms are still breeding millions of horses each year even those they do not have a contract only because the foals they don’t sell out right can still go to slaughter. That the Race tracks trash 100’s of foals and horses each year starting with milk mares that are breed only to have their foal pulled and a high price TB foal take its place. That millions of horses are breed only because the breeder has a trash can to dump anything they don’t want… We don’t eat horse meat in the USA and I be damn if I will let the government use my tax dollars to help these people out… It is time they stop breeding every thing they own or fork out the money to have the animal euthanized.
I truely pray for the people that have taken so much interest in this issue, Sure hope you do something about bigger issues. I love horses, I ride and compete and take better care of my horses than kids. BUT I am not going to let my horse suffer and would have him euthanized in a heartbeat before I let him suffer. Not every horse is rideable or loving, so why not save your compassion for the ones that do. Maybe we out to weed out just killer horses have them fit a certain type,
old,hurt,starving,dangerous, someting in that line. I do think we have more of an issue with aborting babies, losing our god given right, hell we are going to have to get permission to wipe our own butts if this keep on. People PUll your heads out of your rear ends.
“It’s important that we have a humane way to take care of abandoned horses and those that are getting older and have been abandoned,”
There is a humane way to take care of the problem and slaughter is not it.. Why in the hell should the American people pay our tax dollars to inspect meat that we don’t even eat. Money that can be used in other places.
My question is what do the American people get out of it? Nothing we don’t eat horse meat in the USA and I will not allow my tax dollars to fund it. SO KISS your job good bye because you will not be re-elected…I don’t know why you are so willing to allow a animal that is not raised as meat and the EU will not touch. To bring down the values of land and causes businesses in your state to move out.