Many of the horse will be sold unknowingly to "killer buyers" at auctions who claim to want the horses for different purposes; other horses will be stolen. Since California banned the slaughter of horses in 1998, horse theft has decreased over 34%. However, in Texas, where the only two horse slaughterhouses in the nation exist, horse theft and abuse are rampant.


3.WHAT KINDS OF HORSES ARE SLAUGHTERED?

 The great majority of the horses slaughtered are not old, sick, crippled, or unwanted, but instead are young, healthy, and FAT American horses. A healthy horse is worth far more to CAVEL!!! 


4. SLAUGHTERING PROCEDURES

 Cavel uses the CAPTIVE GUN BOLT method for slaughter. The AVMA sets strict guidelines on its use.  They clearly state that "proper head restraint" is required for humane administration of the captive bolt gun so that the animal is rendered immediately stunned and unconscious. CAVEL OFFERS NO SUCH RESTRAINTS DURING SLAUGHTER. Thus, horses being a long necked and easily frightened species, fight and toss their heads, causing the animals to have to be stunned repeatedly. Oftentimes they remain improperly stunned and proceed to be SLAUGHTERED ALIVE.


5. HAZARDOUS TO HUMAN HEALTH! HORSEMEAT IS NOT A  HEALTHY SOURCE OF PROTEIN!

In the U.S., where horsemeat is not consumed horse breeders, trainers,etc do not consider the safety of the horses' meat when they feed and medicate their horses. Horse are given potent drugs including dewormers, painkillers, hormones, anti-inflamatories and pesticides. These not-for-human-use antibiotics and vaccines, which remain in the horses system for an
extended period of time, are not only strong carcinogens but very toxic. Some are already banned for use in food animals such as cows, and pigs.
 
 
6. SLAUGHTERING HORSES IS BAD FOR ILLINOIS ECONOMY

 Since there is no export tariff on horse meat. No profits from CAVEL will remain in Illinois. They will go directly to Belgium, the home of CAVEL International. Cavel also pays no state taxes

The sale of horses is taxable in the State of Illinois because the horses is considered a non food recreational animal. However, animals raised for food are exempt from state sales taxes. Thus, if horses become part of the food chain in this state, Illinois will loose  millions of dollars annually in sales taxes alone.

7. CAVEL WILL CREATE WHAT KIND OF JOBS?    SLAUGHTERHOUSE WORK DEEMED NATIONS MOST
   DANGEROUS OCCUPATION.

  YES, its true Cavel could create some 40 slaughterhouse jobs. But what kind of jobs would these be??? According to the BUREAU of LABOR  STATISTICS, slaughterhouse work is the nations MOST DANGEROUS OCCUPATION. THERE ARE CUT WAGES, CUT BENEFITS, and  BROKEN UNIONS!!

Don't FORGET the horse industry in IL provides over 49,000 jobs and generates 3.86 billion annually in economic benefits alone....ALL THIS WITH HORSES ALIVE!!! 



8. RESPECT FOR AMERICAN CULTURE

 When American companies set up shop in a foreign country they are excepted to respect the culture of that country. Belgium Cavel is not doing that. Would it be acceptable for an American company to set up a cow slaughterhouse in India?

WHO SUPPORTS THE BILL TO BAN HORSE SLAUGHTERING?

Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation
Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman's Association
Arlington Park Racecourse
Hawthorne National Racing Association
Fairmount Park
Balmoral/ Maywood Park
Churchill Downs
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
National Horse Protection Coalition
Illinois Hooved Animal Society
ASPCA
Humane Society of the United States
Humane Pac
American Horse Defense Fund
The Fund for Horses
John Marshall Law School, Animal Law
Showing Animals Respect and Kindness
Blue Horse Charities
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
National Thoroubred Racing Association
Pam Kuhl Horse Transportation
Drexler Horse Transportation
C.A.N.T.E.R Illinois
Crosswinds Equine Rescue Illinois
Spirit Acres Horse Rescue and Sanctuary


Please contact me with any questions or if you would
like to get involved!

Thanks and God Bless,

Jamie Leinss :)