New York state considering bill to ban horse slaughter

New York state is moving closer to eliminating the nickname some animal advocates have for it: “The Horse Slaughter Highway.”

State lawmakers are considering a bill this week that would make the killing of horses for human or animal consumption illegal.

Equine Advocates is an animal sanctuary in Valatie with more than 70 equines enjoying retired life. The farm includes a former thoroughbred, buddy. He was rescued by founder and President Susan Wagner in 2012, when a trailer he was on – headed to a slaughterhouse in Canada – was intercepted.

“Horse slaughter is – it’s cruel, it’s inhumane, it’s wildly unpopular and frankly un-American,” said Wagner. “Because of the fact that New York is a border state and has such a big equine population, this would bring us one giant step closer to a federal ban.”

If the bill passes in the Assembly and Senate, New York will join four other states to ban the slaughter of horses: New Jersey, California, Illinois and Texas. Wagner is hoping there are enough “yes” votes to approve the bill before the legislative session ends on Thursday.