Saving America's Mustangs Responds to BLM's Thursday's Announcement

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT TO ME BY A FRIEND OF MINE, MRS. MADELEINE PICKENS. PLEASE READ BELOW TO FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR WILD HORSES.



Dear Friends & Supporters,

Saving America’s Mustangs (SAM) is encouraged by yesterday’s announcement by Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey that major changes are on the horizon for the Wild Horse and Burro Program. However, we have many concerns about the timetable to make these changes and actions that the BLM will take in the intervening time while America waits for these changes to go into effect. It is also hard not to recognize that promises have been made in the past with no results and the startling number of horses that continue to be gathered remains an untenable fact and something needs to be done about gathers in the short term to protect the diminishing numbers of wild horses left on the range. The incremental and minimalist approach taken in the past has not served anyone well and the public is crying out for reform in the short-term.

Looking at the specifics of Director Abbey’s statement, we would call for Secretary Salazar and Director Abbey to take an in depth look at the following:

1. The current Appropriate Management Levels (AML) is severely flawed in a number of ways. The number of aums allocated to horses compared with those given to cattle is skewed badly and must be changed. The BLM must do an audit of the forage on all public lands allotments and ensure that there is true equity where multiple uses are concerned.

2. When the Wild Horse and Burro Act was passed, 53 million acres were allocated to the wild horses. 21 million acres of that has been removed from use, leaving only 32 of the original 53 million acres for use by wild horses Re-establishing acreage formally designated as wild horse Herd Management Areas that have been zeroed out and converted to other use to return wild horses where possible should be a major goal of the new overall assessment.

3. Emphasis on public/private land partnerships should take into consideration private investment, entrepreneurship, volunteerism and value to the public good. Simply issuing new contracts to warehouse wild horses does little or nothing to move us in a new direction when looking at the vast number of horses currently in holding pens.

4. The reference to additional science being required to respond to many of the deficiencies in the current management of wild horses could not be more pressing than when looking at the current approach to gathers. We are gathering very healthy horses off of range with sufficient forage to support not only the horses currently there but even larger numbers if the truth were told. The claim that large numbers of wild horses are starving or will starve is an exaggerated conclusion that has been offered as a stalking horse to continue the current gather policy. With 40,000horses currently in holding pens and a schedule to remove another 7500 each year, how long will it be before we have eliminated our wild horse herds or put the Program in such financial hardship that it cannot survive? SAM will continue to call for a halt to all gathers until such time as real science is applied in this area and we feel that Secretary Salazar would be well served to simply stop gathers now and let the science tell the real story when the NAS study is completed.

SAM firmly believes that the Secretary has it within his current authority to make many of the changes that would move us in a new direction. We totally support the NAS study approach but strongly question the need to continue to build on the bad policies of the past when everyone seems to recognize the myriad problems in the current Wild Horse and Burro Program management approach. We offer our resources and commitment to assist the Secretary and Director Abbey in any area where we can bring about change more expeditiously and help manage more effectively.

Copy/paste this URL http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2011/february/NR_0223_2011.html to read the original BLM Annoucement from Thursday.

Very Sincerely,

Madeleine Pickens & all the mustangs




Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?

This Horse Magic - Daughter of Kentucky Derby Winner Ferdinand Needs a Loving Home!

THIS JUST CAME IN FROM MY FRIEND FROM ANGEL ACRES HORSE HAVEN RESCUE! MAYBE THESE HORSES CAN FIND LOVING HOMES JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS! PLEASE OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND HOMES TO THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS! FERDINAND WENT THROUGH A HORRIBLE DEATH, BUT MAYBE HIS DAUGHTER CAN FIND A LOVING HOME AND GIVE HOPE TO ALL THE REST OF THE HORSES IN NEED OF HOMES! :) THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD IN THIS WORLD, WE JUST HAVE TO GO OUT AND FIND IT. I HOPE THIS BLOG WILL REACH SOMEONE WHO WOULD LOVE TO GIVE ANY ONE OF THESE HORSES A LOVING HOME. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!


MAGIC TOUCH

She is being assisted with rehoming, along with her friends - Gus, a Morgan gelding and Rummy a Thoroughbred mare.

We would like Gus and Rummy to go together to a new home.


Below is the information about this mare directly from her owner:

Magic Touch (Magic) (16HH)is a chestnut retired race horse (retired 7 years ago), who made over 100 thousand dollars all in sprint races (1/2 mile). She looks just like her Daddy, Ferdinand. She has been a broodmare the last 3 years once my son began riding race horses instead of show jumpers. Prior to being a mom, she did some show jumping and won 2 second place ribbons in small shows.

She rushes the jumps a bit and needs a confident hand to keep her focused. She doesn't do anything wrong, but she is competitive and easily excited, so the rider has to be calm. She is beautiful and knows it. She shows off in the ring and has an energetic trot. You have to work to keep her collected at first, but she settles down with a confident rider.

Magic has done some barrel racing, (and she's figured out that this is a race) but you have to remind her to go around the barrels and not go straight. Magic has been in our barn since she was 6 years old. She retired from racing after she bowed a tendon, but with a year of rest, she healed to start English and then jumping. She has not had any trouble with the tendon, jumping or barrels.

She is good for the vet and farrier. She cross ties. She has been ridden English. She has been trail ridden along a road and in the woods. She likes to be in front of the trail ride. She is a very classy and kind head mare who gets along with other horses and likes people. She has good ground manners, but is probably not a "first" horse. She would be suitable for an intermediate teen rider who wants to "ride" and not just sit on the horse.


GUS - THE MORGAN

Information about this gelding comes directly from his owner:

Gus (15HH) is an almost black (DK BR) 23 year old Morgan gelding. He gets along well with other horses. We bought him for my daughter when she was 7 and just starting show jumping.

She is now 15, and I expected the grandkids to ride him until it was time to bury him in our pasture. He is our sweet chubby baby. Gus came to us with tons of blue ribbons and a National show jumping title. His previous owner trained him and she was then in college for Equine studies. Gus is a schoolmaster and suitable for a young/new rider.

He never comes home from a show without a ribbon, in Equitation or Pleasure. In fact, he and my daughter have repeatedly caused an entire ring to break down to a walk behind his ultra slow trot in English pleasure. He has a marvelous gait for older folks who want a smooth ride. He is responsive to word commands from the person on his back as well as leg cues. He is mannerly on the ground and practically spook proof.

Gus loves being ridden English, but in his later years he has been used to pony excitable baby race horses and teach them manners. For this, he was ridden with a western grazing bit and neck reined, but English is his first love, and even though he is older, he has never had a sore/sick day in his life.

His feet are tough and do not need shoes even when ridden on the road or jumping. He is an easy keeper with just hay and a cup or two of grain. He stands, backs and (used to) hold up his feet for little hands. He loads without any coaxing. He stands in cross ties, or just with one tie. He's been ridden in the pasture with just a halter and lead rope. He is good for the vet and farrier. He is a perfect horse who needs a perfect home. We will miss him.


RUM JUNGLE

Information about Rummy comes directly from her owner:

Rummy (16HH) is Gus' buddy and I'd like to see her go to the same home as he does. Rummy (Rum Jungle) is a chestnut retired race horse with a blaze. (Retired 6 years ago). She gets along well with other horses.

She retired completely sound from the track with winnings of 60K, all at more than a mile. She has lots of stamina but is not hot. She has been off the track, used as a riding horse and broodmare for the last 3 years.

She is sweet and mannerly on the ground and with a bit of a brush up (She hasn't been ridden for a year) will be fine for an intermediate rider or a beginner with a trainer. She doesn't particularly like to jump, but will do so if pushed. She has been taken through the barrel pattern, but would need some work to be a really good barrel horse. She is fast when she needs to be, but is content to take long walks in the woods or on the road.

She walks through water and over logs. Turkeys, deer and trains don't spook her. She is good for the vet and farrier. She cross ties. She has good ground manners. She has been ridden with an English bit and an English or a Western saddle.

She doesn't know neck reining, but is smart enough to learn. She would be a good horse for a teen or Mom or Dad with your younger child on Gus.



REHOMING INFO:

All three of these horses are up-to-date on teeth, feet, shots, deworming, Coggins, etc.

All are FREE to Angel Acres approved home...PLEASE read about our $1 program horses before emailing as this is the program that he will be adopt out under.

Please email (angelacreshorsehaven@yahoo.com)for more information on any of these wonderful horses!

We are able to assist thanks to donations to Mattie's Legacy Fund, a vital program at Angel Acres, please donate or help spread the word about the fund, today!


Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?

AWESOME NEWS JUST IN FROM MADELEINE PICKENS FOR THE HORSES!

Following commentary by: Madeleine Pickens

Dear Our Fabulous Wild Horse Supporters,

We are SO excited to FINALLY announce the best news we have had to share with you in over 2 1/2 years!

OUR MUSTANGS ARE GETTING THEIR SANCTUARY AND HAVE THE BLM’S SUPPORT!!!

Over the past three days, I have been to meetings in Sacramento and again in Washington, DC. I’ve met with BLM Director, Bob Abbey, Deputy Director, Mike Pool, along with the Wild Horse and Burro team. The BLM has officially agreed to support going forward with the development of the wild horse Eco- sanctuary for the horses in holding! Also in DC, I met with Congressman, Jim Moran, who had already given his blessing, but is submitting legislation to members of Congress on behalf of these wild mustangs. We are so thankful to him and his staff for their efforts on the wild horse and burro issue. All the meetings were fabulous and we could not be happier about the news!

This final acceptance by the BLM this week was the hurdle we had yet to get over. We are so thankful for the opportunity to start our Pilot Program with 1,000 horses, and we aim to get all 36,000+ horses in holding soon after. This action by the BLM shows great leadership on the part of Bob Abbey and Mike Pool for taking a stand for our beautiful mustangs and accepting the solution we have offered. Saving America’s Mustangs gives our sincerest thanks for the monumental cooperation on the part of the BLM for an alternative to the holding pens.

This is a truly a dream come true and I’m thrilled to share this news with all of you!! Let the rejoicing begin!!


Copy/paste the following link to your URL to watch the second SAM Cam update on 9/16/10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAYupXk0f7M

I HAVE BEEN DILIGENTLY EVERY NIGHT PRAYING TO GOD THANKING HIM FOR SAVING ALL OF HIS PRECIOUS HORSES, AND I BELIEVE THROUGH MY FAITH IN GOD AND EVERYONE OUT THERE WHOSE HEARTS HE IS TOUCHING TO DO HIS WORK, GOD HAS COME THROUGH FOR US AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO COME THROUGH FOR US IN PASSING THE BILL TO END HORSE SLAUGHTER ONCE AND FOR ALL. THANK YOU LORD! AND THANK YOU MADELEINE PICKENS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION!!


*On a less excited note, 175 wild horses are to be sold to killer buyers in Nevada Sat, Sept. 18. Lifesavers Horse Rescue is taking a huge risk in trying to save as many horses as they can tomorrow. If anyone can help, please visit Lifesaver's web site - http://wildhorserescue.org/


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MO Pro Horse Slaughter Proposal Attached to Another Bill

Posted Apr 30, 2010
by lauraallen Horse Slaughter

Update April 30: This week the chair of the Missouri Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee, Sen. Dan Clemens, publicly announced "there will be no further legislative progress on H.B. 1747".

While he was making that announcement, Rep. James Viebrock simply moved the provisions of H.B. 1747 to another unrelated bill, S.B. 795. The provisions of H.B. 1747 were attached to S.B. 795 which passed the House Agriculture Committee and could be voted on by the full House of Representatives as early as Monday, May 3, 2010. Find a copy of the House Committee Substitute bill here (http://www.senate.mo.gov/10info/pdf-bill/hcs/SB795.pdf).

WHAT YOU CAN DO

There is no time to waste: Find your Missouri state representative here (http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx). Find names and contact information for all Missouri state representatives here (http://www.house.mo.gov/member.aspx). Contact them (fax and phone are best) and urge them to vote NO to the House Committee Substitute, S.B. 795!

For more information about this bill, formerly H.B. 1747, and just how scary it could be for animal welfare laws, read Animal Law Coalition's earlier reports below.

Update April 11: H.B. 1747, a bill to promote horse slaughter has been assigned to the Missouri Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee.

Update April 1: H.B. 1747 has passed the Missouri House of Representatives by a vote of 91-61.

The version passed by the House is basically the same as the introduced bill, except for one significant change: If this bill becomes law, "[n]o law criminalizing or otherwise regulating crops or the welfare of any domesticated animals shall be valid unless based upon generally accepted scientific principles and enacted by the general assembly."

Scary language for animals.

This means there could be no citizen initiatives such as the current puppy mill ballot initiative for which advocates are now gathering signatures. If H.B. 1747 passes with this amendment, there could be no local laws regarding the welfare of any domesticated animal including dogs, cats, horses, other pets and farm animals that differ from state laws. Also, any current animal cruelty or animal welfare law in Missouri would be void unless it was "based upon generally accepted scientific principles and enacted by the general assembly." People charged with animal abuse could raise challenges to the law, claiming it was not based upon "generally accepted scientific principles". Possibly, all laws governing animal cruelty or welfare would simply be void because there was no determination of whether they were based upon "generally accepted scientific principles". Arguably, current regulations governing animal welfare and protection would be void as well for this lack of this determination and also because they are not enacted by the legislature; regulations are issued by state agencies.

But that is not all this bill does. It was originally introduced to promote horse slaughter and it still does that. Read Animal Law Coalition's report below for more on this bill and what else all of us must do to stop it.

Missouri state Rep. James Viebrock is the sponsor of H.B. 1747, which basically would also authorize registration and inspections for commercial horse slaughter for human consumption.

The bill proposes that the Missouri Dept. of Agriculture would register commercial horse slaughter operations and certify "that the parts of horses to be processed are fit for human food, and the processing establishment to be operated complies with ... sanitary standards". All registration and inspection fees collected" would "be paid to the director of agriculture and deposited into the state ‘Horse Meat and Product Fund'". Annual inspection fees would be used "to pay for USDA inspection of horse meat products and horse meat processing facilities."

According to the bill, H.B. 1747, "the [state] director [of Agriculture] shall make all necessary inspections and investigations" and the USDA would also have access "at all reasonable times to any building, room, vehicle, boat, or other premises in which any horse carcass, horse meat, or horse meat food product is processed, packed, transported, sold, exposed, or offered for sale at retail."

The USDA would be free to pay for samples or specimens of the carcass or "product" to determine if there are violations of USDA regulations.

The new law would have requirements for labeling, remedies to protect against adulteration, misbranding, failure to label or brand, or unfitness for human consumption. Places that serve horsemeat would be required to post conspicuous warning signs.

The proposal, of course, is simply another tactic to promote horse slaughter with the hope of forcing a return of horse slaughter to this country. This bill is similar to a number of bills and resolutions introduced in 2009 and several more this year, 2010, also offered in an effort to defeat the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R. 503/S.B. 727, now pending in Congress and which would make it illegal to "possess..., ship..., transport..., purchase.., sell... deliver..., or receive" in interstate or foreign commerce any horse "with the intent that it is to be slaughtered for human consumption". The latest of these bills to pass as part of the pro-slaughter disinformation campaign is a Wyoming law that sadly promotes sending horses to slaughter but not to rescues or sanctuaries.

Right now, commercial horse slaughter for human consumption is illegal in the U.S. though horses can be transported to other countries, typically Mexico and Canada, for slaughter. Since 2006 Congress has de-funded ante-mortem inspections required to slaughter horses for human consumption. Congress continued the de-funding in the 2010Appropriations Act, Sec. 744.

In 2007 a federal court rejected an attempt by the USDA to allow horse slaughter operators to pay for the inspections. The USDA is currently not authorized to conduct ante-mortem inspections of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. Without those inspections, it is illegal under the Federal Meat Inspection Act ("FMIA"), 21 U.S.C. §§601(w)(1), 603, to slaughter horses for human consumption.

If this bill becomes law, it is not clear the USDA would authorize Missouri state inspectors to conduct the required inspections. The funds to pay for the state as well as USDA inspections would come from horse slaughter operators, the same situation in the previous litigation. The judge in that case found the USDA violated the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 706 and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. § 4321, et seq., by failing to consider adequately, or, really, at all, the environmental impact of its action in allowing horse slaughter operators to pay for their own inspections.

Also, there is strong opposition to horse slaughter in the U.S., and the goal is to pass the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R. 503/S.B. 727, to end this brutal practice altogether for all American horses. A similar bill passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority in 2006, a vote of 263 to 146, but was never voted on in the Senate.

In 2007 a law in Texas, Texas Agriculture Code §§ 149.001-.007 was found to ban horse slaughter for human consumption and was upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. A ban in Illinois, 225 ILCS 635, on horse slaughter for human consumption was upheld in 2008 by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. These state laws and court rulings closed the 3 facilities that were still slaughtering horses in the U.S.; those facilities were located in Texas and Illinois. (Go here to read about and help oppose state Rep. Jim Sacia's effort once again to overturn the Illinois ban on horse slaughter for human consumption; the Iliinois legislature and Illinois voters have never supported this effort. )

Horse slaughter is also illegal in California, CA Penal Code § 598c ("unlawful for any person to possess, to import into or export from the state, or to sell, buy, give away, hold, or accept any horse with the intent of killing, or having another kill, that horse, if that person knows or should have known that any part of that horse will be used for human consumption"). A Mississippi law, MS Code §75-33-3, states that the "term ‘food unfit for human consumption' shall be construed to include meat and meat-food products of horses and mules.". In Oklahoma, 63 Okla. Stat. §1-1136, it is "unlawful for any person to sell, offer or exhibit for sale . . . any quantity of horsemeat for human consumption."

In 2009 the Rhode Island House of Representatives issued a resolution in support of a federal ban on commercial horse slaughter for human consumption. A similar resolution is pending in California. A bill is pending in New York to ban commercial horse slaughter or trade in horse meat for human consumption. Wisconsin, Senate Bill 142 would also ban horse slaughter.

Go here to read how you can help pass the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R. 503/S.B. 727, now pending in Congress (http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/567).


Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?

YOUR URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED!

THIS JUST IN FROM MY FRIENDS AT "AMERICANS AGAINST HORSE SLAUGHTER", PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE. THANK YOU!

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!
March 2, 2010

Urge your Illinois Representative to vote NO on HB 4812
A bill to reopen cruel horse slaughter plants in IL
VOTE COULD TAKE PLACE ANY DAY – CALL NOW!

Dear Illinois Humanitarian,

Urgent calls are needed to protect equine welfare in the state of Illinois. Please contact your State House Representatives to help preserve the 2007 Illinois ban on horse slaughter which ultimately resulted in the closure of the last remaining horse slaughter plant in the United States.

To no surprise, the Illinois State House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation passed HB 4812, a bill to reopen cruel horse slaughter plants in the state. State Rep. Jim Sacia, introduced the bill to repeal the state ban, paving the way for horse slaughter to reappear in Illinois. As has been discussed and voted on many times before, the slaughter process subjects horses to extreme cruelty and an inhumane death. Supporters on both sides of the issue agree that we have a nationwide crisis right now, and something must be done to save these majestic beings from cruelty. We disagree, however, on how to handle the problem. The Animal Welfare Institute does not believe subjecting horses to the trauma of slaughter by captive bolt or being stabbed in the neck by puntilla knife is the answer.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn reiterated his desire to protect the welfare of animals this weekend, “As long as I am governor, we're never going to pass any kind of legislation that allows cruelty toward animals, whether it be dogs, cats or any other living things.”

We are confident Illinois House and Senate representatives are strongly opposed to HB4812, and will vote NO on the bill. However, Representative Sacia has begun to employ a new tactic to garner support for the bill. Claims that the bill has no chance of passing and a vote in favor of the bill as a political nod to Rep. Sacia have started to swirl around the State Capitol. Representatives must not play political games with this bill, which holds the lives of about 100,000 horses annually. It is critical that you urge your representative to vote NO on HB 4812.

Also, please reiterate the fact that Illinois horse rescues will not accept any money as once offered by Rep. Sacia, in an attempt to appease the animal welfare community. Illinois horse rescues submitted a letter to the State House denouncing the acceptance of monies collected from slaughtering horses. Ask that your Representative to record a NO vote on the bill with or without amendments.

It is unfortunate that the Illinois General Assembly and individuals from Illinois and around the country must continue dealing with this issue year after year, but we must remain vigilant against any and all attempts to overturn the 2007 ban on horse slaughter. It is a shame that our limited resources must be used to repeatedly engage in this fight, rather than expend the resources further protecting horses.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

The Illinois House will bring take up HB 4812 at any time now. The exact date is not yet set but may appear soon. Please contact your Representatives today to register your opposition to this inhumane bill. To find House member contact information, visit www.ilga.gov/house or see below.

For your convenience, below is a list of talking points to aid in placing calls and drafting emails. Again, please take action for the horses today. They are counting on us!

Talking Points:Please apologize for having to call your representative on this issue yet again. The Illinois General Assembly resolved this issue back in 2007, but Rep. Sacia continues to take up everybody’s time with this unpopular bill. No matter what is said, please vote NO on HB 4812. Soundly defeating this bill (once again) will send a message across Illinois and the U.S. that horse slaughter and efforts to promote it are not acceptable. Strongly oppose HB 4812 and any amendments because horse slaughter is a cruel and unnecessary practice. The Illinois General Assembly banned horse slaughter by an overwhelming majority in 2007, and Rep. Sacia’s bill, HB 4812, must be rejected. There is no evidence to support Rep. Sacia’s claims that the slaughterhouse closure has led to an increase in horse abandonment or abuse. Horse slaughter itself is abuse because of the way in which horses react to the stress of slaughter plants and the multiple hits required to immobilize a horse. Ending horse slaughter stopped an overt form of animal cruelty and has only been good for the horses. The state ban is important. The animal welfare community, equine rescues and the majority of Illinois residents DO NOT support the overturning of this ban no matter what Rep. Sacia may claim.

If Rep. Sacia actually cared about the welfare of horses he would support the federal ban on horse slaughter which would stop the export of horses from the U.S. Please ask your representative to urge Rep. Sacia to discontinue his attempts to overturn the horse slaughter bill. Your representative should also urge Rep. Sacia to support the federal bill, Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503/S.727), in order to truly advance the welfare of equines in Illinois if he is truly concerned with the welfare of our horses. H.R. 503/S.727 ensures horses from Illinois and all over the U.S. will no longer be hauled to Canada or Mexico for slaughter.

Please share this "Dear Humanitarian" eAlert with all family, friends, colleagues and fellow horse enthusiasts! Also, please take a minute to visit AWI’s Compassion Index at www.awionline. org/takeaction and take action on the federal Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503/S. 727). For more information on horse slaughter, you may visit www.awionline. org.Thank you for all you do on behalf of the horses!

Sincerely,
Chris Heyde
Deputy Director
Government and Legal Affairs
Animal Welfare Institute
House Member D/R Phone # Email



Edward J. Acevedo D (217) 782-2855 eacevedoed@ilga. gov

Luis Arroyo D (217) 782-0480 repdistrict2@ yahoo.com

Suzanne Bassl R (217) 782-8026

Mark H. Beaubien R (217) 782-1517 strepmbeaubien@ aol.com

Daniel V. Beiser D (217) 782-5996 dvbeiser@sbcglobal. net

Patricia R. Bellock R (217) 782-1448 rep@rbellock. com

Maria Antonia Berrios D (217) 782-1032 repberrios39gmail. com

Bob Biggins R (217) 782-6578 bobbiggins@comcast. net

William B. Black R (217) 782-4811 wbblack@sbcglobal. net

Mike Boland D (217) 782-3992 ilrepmikeboland@ aol.com

Mike Bost R (217) 782-0387 rep.bost@hotmail. com

John E. Bradley D (217) 782-1051 repjohnbradley@ mychoice. net

Dan Brady R (217) 782-1118 dan@rep-danbrady. com

Rich Brauer R (217) 782-0053 brauerri@ilga. gov

Daniel J. Burke D (217) 782-1117 burkedj@ilga. gov

William D. Burns D (217) 782-2023 repwillburns@ att.net

John D. Cavaletto R (217) 782-0066 john@joncavaletto. com

Linda Chapa LaVia D (217) 558-1002 chapa-laviali@ ilga.gov

Franco Coladipietro R (217) 782-8158 franco@il45. com

Sandy Cole R (217) 782-7320 representativesandy cole@comcast. net

Annazette Collins D (217) 782-8077 collinsar@ilga. gov

Marlow H. Colvin D (217) 782-8272 repcolvin@sbcglobal .net

Michael G. Connelly R (217) 782-8028 Repconnelly48@ gmail.com

Elizabeth Coulson R (217) 782-4194 Coulson@ilga. gov

Fred Crespo D (217) 782-0347 fred@fredcrespo. com

Tom Cross R (217) 782-1331 tom@tomcross. com

Barbara Flynn Currie R (217) 782-8121 repcurrie@sbcglobal .net

Shane Cultra R (217) 558-1039 shanecultra105@ yahoo.com

John D'Amico D (217) 782-8198 johnd@ilga.gov

Monique D. Davis D (217) 782-0010 davismd@ilga. gov

William Davis D (217) 782-8197 williamd.hds. state.il. us

Anthony DeLuca D (217) 782-1719 repdeluca@sbcglobal .net

Lisa M. Dugan D (217) 782-5981 lisadugan@sbcglobal .net

Kenneth Dunkin D (217) 782-4535 kendunkin@msn. com

Jim Durkin R (217) 782-0494 jimd@ilga.gov

Roger L. Eddy R (217) 558-1040 reddyunit1@aol. com

Keith Farnham D (217) 782-8020 krfarnham@gmail. com

Sara Feigenholtz D (217) 782-8062 feigenholtz@ ilga.gov

Robert F. Flider D (217) 782-8398 bobflider@repflider .com

Mary E. Flowers D (217) 782-4207 flowersme@ilga. gov

LaShawn K. Ford D (217) 782-5962 lkf@ilga.gov

Mike Fortner R (217) 782-1653 mike.fortner@ sbcglobal. net

Jack D. Franks D (217) 782-1717 jack@jackfranks. org

John A Fritchey D (217) 782-2458 mystaterep@aol. com

Paul D. Froehlich D (217) 782-3725 statereppaul@ sbcglobal. net

Esther Golar D (217) 782-5971 esthergolar@ sbcglobal. net

Careen M. Gordon D (217) 782-5997 staterepgordon@ sbcglobal. net

Jehan A. Gordon D (217) 782-3186 repjehangordon@ gmail.com

Deborah L. Graham D (217) 782-6400 st.rep.graham@ sbcglobal. net

Julie Hamos D (217) 782-8052 julie@staterephamos .org

Betsy Hannig D (217) 782-8071 betsyh@ilga. gov

Greg Harris D (217) 782-3835 greg@gregharris. org

Kay Hatcher R (217) 782-1486 vote4kay@att. net

Elizabeth Hernandez D (217) 782-8173 repehernandez@ yahoo.com

Jay C. Hoffman D (217) 782-8018 hoffman@legis. state.il. us

Thomas Holdbrook D (217) 782-0104 NA

Constance A. Howard D (217) 782- 6476 howardca@ilga. gov

Eddie Lee Jackson, Sr. D (217) 782-5951 NA

Naomi D. Jakobsson D (217) 558-1009 naomi@naomijakobsso n.com

Charles E. Jefferson D (217) 782-3167 staterepchuck67@ aol.com

Kevin Joyce D (217) 782-8200 kjoyce@hds.ilga. gov

Renee Kosel R (217) 782-0424 rkosel@ilga. gov

Lou Lang D (217) 782-8400 reploulang@aol. com

Michael J. Madigan D (217) 782-5350 mmadigan@hds. ilga.gov

Sidney H. Mathias R (217) 782-1664 repmathias@hotmail. com

Frank J. Mautino D (217) 782-0140 patti76th@ivnet. com

Karen May D (217) 782-0902 karen@repkarenmay. org

Emily McAsey D (217) 782-4179 repEmily@gmail. com

Michael P. McAuliffe R (217) 782- 8182 macauliffe20@ yahoo.com

Kevin A. McCarthy D (217) 782-3316 kevmac37@sbcglobal. net

Jack McGuire D (217) 782-8090 jmcguire86@sbcgloba l.net

Deborah Mell D (217) 782-8117 deborahm@ilga. gov

Susana A. Mendoza D (217) 782-7752 staterepmendoza@ gmail.com

David E. Miller D (217) 782- 8087 repdavidmiller@ sbcglobal. net

Bill Mitchell R (217) 782-8163 repmitchell@ earthlink. net

Jerry L. Mitchell R (217) 782-0535 repjmitchell@ comcast.net

Donald L. Moffitt R (217) 782-8032 moffitt@grics. net

Rosemary Mulligan R (217) 782-8007 repmulligan@ usa.net

Richard P. Myers R (217) 782-0416 repmyers@macomb. com

Elaine Nekritz D (217) 558-1004 enekritz@repnekritz .org

JoAnn D. Osmond R (217) 782-8151 osmondjoann@ aol.com

Harry Osterman D (217) 782-8088 hjo17@aol.com

Brandon W. Phelps D (217) 782-5131 bphelps@yourclearwa ve.com

Sandra M. Pihos R (217) 782-8037 sandrapihos42@ gmail.com

Raymond Poe R (217) 782-0044 poe@ilga.gov

Robert W. Pritchard R (217) 782-0425 bob@pritchardstater ep.com

Randy Ramey, Jr. R (217) 558-1037 staterepramey55@ aol.com

Dennis M. Reboletti R (217) 782-4014 dennisreboletti@ sbcglobal. net

Davis Reis R (217) 782-1018 repreitz@egyptian. net

Al Riley D (217) 558-1007 rep.riley38@ sbcglobal. net

Robert Rita D (217) 558-1000 robertbobrita@ aol.com

Chapin Rose R (217) 558-1006 chapin@chapinrose. net

Jim Sacia R (217) 782-8186 JimSacia@aeroinc. net

Angelo Saviano R (217) 782-3374 skip@saviano. com

Timothy L. Schmitz R (217) 782-5457 info@timschmitz. org

Darlene J. Senger R (217) 782-6507 sengerstaterep@ gmail.com

Carol A. Sente D (217) 782-0499 senteforstaterep@ gmail.com

Michael K. Smith D (217) 782-8152 repmikesmith@ gmail.com

Keith P. Sommer R (217) 782-0221 sommer@mtco. com

Cynthia Soto D (217) 782-0150 csoto@ilga.gov

Ron Stephens R (217) 782-6401 ron@repstephens. com

Ed Sullivan, Jr. R (217) 782-3696 ILhouse51@sbcglobal .net

Andre M. Thapedi D (217) 782-1702 rep32district@ gmail.com

Jill Tracy R (217) 782-8096 jilltracy@jilltracy .com

Michael W. Tryon R (217) 782-0432 Mike@miketryon. com

Arthur L. Turner D (217) 782-8116 gene@turnerforillin ois.com

Patrick J. Verschoore D (217) 782-5970 pverschoore@ legis.state. il.us

Ronald A. Wait R (217) 782-0548 repwait777@aol. com

Mark L. Walker D (217) 782-3739 repmarkwalker@ gmail.com

Eddie Washington D (217) 558-1012 washington60th@ aol.com

Jim Watson R (217) 782-1840 jimwatson@localnetc o.com

Dave Winters R (217) 782-0455 repwinters@aol. com

Karen A. Yarbrough D (217) 782-8120 kyarbrough@ilga. gov

Michael J. Zalewski D (217) 782-5280 michaelz@ilga. gov


Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?

ACTION ALERT!! - HORSES NEED OUR HELP ASAP!!

THIS JUST IN FROM "AMERICAN'S AGAINST HORSE SLAUGHTER" PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO READ THIS MESSAGE AND MAKE THE CALL OR SEND A FAXED LETTER ASAP!!

Dear Friends,

Following is a message from long time horse advocate, Gail Vacca in Illinois. This hearing on HB 4812 is scheduled for February 23. Gail will be there to testify against the bill with other long-time members of their IL anti-slaughter team.

Please take action to help our friends in IL.

THE HORSES URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP!

The horse slaughter plants and their meat industry allies are at it again. Illinois State Representative Jim Sacia has introduced a bill (HB 4812) that would repeal the 2007 Illinois ban on horse slaughter, which if passed, would ultimately allow Cavel to resume slaughtering horses in DeKalb , IL .

In what is perhaps even more disturbing, Rep. Sacia has also offered a clause to HB 4812 that calls for a fee of $25 to be charged to the slaughterhouse for each horse slaughtered. This money would then be placed into a fund for eventual distribution to equine rescues for use in expanding their operations or providing care to rescued horses.

The ILEHC finds this clause to be particularly repulsive and we want our members and supporters to know that we would never accept a single penny of the proposed blood money. The ILEHC has joined with several other Illinois-based equine rescue organizations to issue a joint letter to the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) stating our opposition to HB 4812. We have also distributed a joint press release to multiple Illinois media outlets.

How can you help?

We need each of you to call, fax, and email each member of the House Committee on Agriculture. Please make sure to write "Vote NO on HB 4812" in the subject line of your emails and faxes.

House Agriculture Committee Member Contact Information http://www.ilga.gov/house/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=626&GA=96


Representative Brandon W. Phelps (D) - Chairperson

(217) 782-5131

(217) 557-0521 FAX

Email: bphelps@yourclearwave.com


Representative Patrick J. Verschoore (D) - Vice-Chairperson

(217) 782-5970

(217) 558-1253 FAX

Email: pverschoore@qconline.com


Representative Jim Sacia (R) - Republican Spokesperson

(217) 782-8186

(217) 558-7016 FAX

Email: JimSacia@aeroinc.net


Representative John D. Cavaletto (R)

(217) 782-0066

(217) 782-1336 FAX


Representative Shane Cultra (R)

(217) 558-1039

(217) 558-3481 FAX

Email: cultrash@ilga.gov


Representative Lisa M. Dugan (D)

(217) 782-5981

(217) 558-4553 FAX

Email: duganlm@ilga.gov


Representative Robert F. Flider (D)

(217) 782-8398

(217) 782-2528 FAX

Email: bobflider@repflider.com


Representative Mary E. Flowers (D)

(217) 782-4207

(217) 782-1130 FAX

Email: flowersme@ilga.gov


Representative Julie Hamos (D)

(217) 782-8052

(217) 557-7204 FAX

Email: julie@staterephamos.org


Representative Donald L. Moffitt (R)

(217) 782-8032

(217) 557-0179 FAX

Email: moffitt@grics.net


Representative Richard P. Myers (R)

(217) 782-0416

(217) 782-5257 FAX

Email: repmyers@macomb.com


Representative David Reis (R)

(217) 782-2087

(217) 557-0530 FAX

Email: david@davidreis.org


Representative Dan Reitz (D)

(217) 782-1018

(217) 782-0945 FAX

Email: repreitz@egyptian.net


THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO HELP THE HORSES!

Shelley and Deb

Americans Against Horse Slaughter

www.americansagainsthorseslaughter.com



Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?

URGENT ALERT!! - DON'T SELL YOUR BELOVED HORSE TO THIS WOMAN! SHE IS A SCAMMER AND SELLS HORSES TO KILLER BUYERS!

Dear friends,

I'm posting this to make everyone aware of this woman who is posing as a loving family woman so she can get you to sell your horse to her, and then she turns around and sells them to killer buyers at an auction. Read the following story and tell everyone you know about her. My friends and I believe that this woman is using different names like KIM or APRIL. We also believe that this may be the same woman that owns the business called "CRANBERRY RUN FARMS" but we are not sure yet, the picture I posted on here sure looks like her. I'm also posting a picture of her on this blog message so you can all be aware what she looks like and the information she is giving. Also be aware that her and her friends know of my blog and may change some information after reading this (ie: phone numbers, names that she goes by and etc.) EVERYONE, PLEASE DO A FULL BACKGROUND CHECK ON ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BUY YOUR HORSES AND CROSS CHECK THE NAMES THAT THEY ARE GIVING YOU, SO YOU CAN DOUBLE CHECK AND CONFIRM IT WITH A PHOTO. DON'T FALL FOR HER TRAP THAT SHE IS BUYING THE HORSE FOR HER DAUGHTER OR SOME OTHER HEARTFELT EXCUSE, BECAUSE SHE IS REALLY SELLING YOUR HORSE TO A KILLER BUYER.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THAT WAS SENT TO ME BY A FRIEND:

Protect your horse - so it doesn't happen to you! They lied.
Here is a statement from Jaime.
Sunday a family came to pickup Mr. Megan aka Gamble a Thoroughbred gelding that we had housed, loved and cared for. We thought we were doing the right thing by allowing this family to take him. They showed up looking like a loving home, promised a forever home and stating he was going to be their daughters horse who was also along for the appointment but this horse was sold the very next day through an auction in New Holland PA. Another Chance 4 Horses Horse Helper Lisa contacted us to let us know that our horse was listed on the broker owned pages of the website Another Chance 4 Horses, Inc. www.ac4h.com. We are bringing Gambler back home.

We don't want this to happen to you or your horse! She contacted me in reference to a CL (CRAIGS LIST) ad that I had for Gambler to find him a home. Called from cell number 856-430-2553 and she went by the name of April. In doing internet research this is the information connected with that number. Please be aware that they are known to have been in DE as they had Deleware tags, NJ and PA areas. Red rusty type trailer, door held closed with bailing twine. Entire rig was older. They will look for cheap or free horses and offer a good home with no intention of providing one. Please use a contract to protect yourself and your horse.

If we wanted our horse to go through an auction we would have taken him there ourselves. We have been lied to and taken advantage of and want to help others with our experience. Below are pictures of the lady who took my horse on Sunday. She may be using the name Kim, April Evans or any other name. You may receive an email from this email address or one of her others apparently she has many IP addresses.


APRIL EVANS


APRIL EVANS 2ND PHOTO


APRIL EVANS EMAIL ADDRESS


APRIL EVANS INFORMATION


MORE INFO ON APRIL EVANS!

IF THIS REALLY IS THE WOMAN FROM CRANBERRY RUN FARMS, WHICH HER WEBSITE IS LISTED AT THE TOP RIGHT SIDE OF MY BLOG, SHE IS OBVIOUSLY DESPERATE TO BUY OTHER PEOPLES HORSES BECAUSE MYSELF AND FRIENDS OF MINE RUINED HER IMAGE WITH RACE TRACK OWNERS AND THEY ARE NO LONGER SELLING THEIR HORSES TO HER. SO SHE IS RESORTING TO BUYING PRIVATE OWNERS HORSES AND SELLING THEM TO KILLER BUYERS. LIKE I SAID, WE ARE NOT SURE YET THAT THIS IS HER, BUT WE ARE DOING SOME INVESTIGATION ON IT. I WILL ALSO BE ALERTING THE AUTHORITIES ON THIS WOMAN. SHE FUNDS HER HORSE RAISING BUSINESS BY SELLING OTHER PEOPLE'S HORSES TO KILL BUYERS. CRANBERRY RUN FARM SHOULD NOT GET BUSINESS FROM ANYONE, SHE NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR GOOD! SHE TREATS HER OWN HORSES LIKE CRAP. JUST READ SOME OF MY BLOGS AND EMAILS THAT SHE HAS SENT TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. IT'S IN MY PAST BLOGS IN 2008 AND 2009. SHE WILL TRY TO COME ACROSS LIKE SHE CARES FOR ALL HER HORSES, BUT SHE IS THE BIGGEST LIER!!! SHE CALLS HER HORSES "A PIECE OF TRASH", WORDS STRAIGHT FROM HER MOUTH.


Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?

ILLEGAL HORSE SLAUGHTER HOUSES IN FLORIDA AND KENTUCKY! PLEASE READ AND TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Miami's killing fields

December 30, 2009

by Neil Clarkson


Richard Couto and the young thoroughbred he rescued, Freedom's Flight.

Miami may have a reputation for blue skies and fabulous beaches, but Richard "Kudo" Couto knows a much darker side to southern Florida.

Just 15 minutes from glitzy South Beach is an area notorious for its illegal slaughterhouses - and horse meat is top of the menu.

Miami-Dade County may have been in the news this year for the butchering of pet horses for meat, but Couto told Horsetalk this is just the tip of the iceberg.

While 22 horses are known to have been butchered in Miami-Dade and neighbouring Broward County during 2009, that pales against the numbers being butchered in the backyard slaughterhouses in a rural area known as the C9 Basin.

Couto believes at least 70 slaughter operations are operating illegally in the area, profiting from a flourishing black market trade in meat, particularly horse flesh.

"I exposed the black market horse-meat trade in Miami," he said. "For many years a lot of people have been trying to sweep this under the carpet and keep this as quiet as possible."

Couto is now on a crusade to have the illegal slaughter farms shut down.

He says the butchering of horses kept as pets began about three years ago, with some of the backyard butchers no longer willing to pay kill prices for unwanted animals.

He said he knows the couple who may well have been the first victims of such a crime. About three years ago they lost their 16-month-old colt, Comannchee.


A horse at an illegal slaughter farm. For more images see http://www.animalrecoverymission.org.
"They went to his stall ... he was in about 30 pieces, with all his meat gone.
"Since then, it has happened to probably north of 50 people."

Some equine victims have been prize-winning and highly valuable bloodstock, he says, residing in plush stables at $US10-million-plus properties.

Most of the horses butchered for meat are being bought cheaply at auction for $US50 to $US100. They are taken to private facilities - mom and pop operations as Couto calls them - where they are butchered.

The meat is then sold on the black market, meeting demand from residents of Cuban origin with an appetite for horse flesh.

Horse meat is a popular choice in Cuba and, with more than half the population of Miami-Dade County being of Cuban origin, demand for horse meat is strong.

"In Miami, a dead horse is much more valuable than a live horse," Couto says.

"It's tough for people to keep their horses right now, with the recession. A lot of horses are being given away."

A dead $US50 horse, he says, could yield up to 500 pounds of meat. That meat is fetching $US7 to $US40 a pound on the black market.

"They [the backyard butchers] are making a lot of money on horses here."

Kentucky is the only state with more horses than Florida, he points out.

Couto says everything about the industry is illegal. The horses die a cruel death. "They are virtually tortured. It's barbaric." The slaughter operations operate in violation of building, zoning and health regulations.

"It's a really nasty, nasty thing going on.

"The people who are running these farms are extremely violent people ... the worst of the worst.

"I've had my life threatened numerous times."

He said he is currently living at an undisclosed address and the utilities are not connected in his own name.

The move to slaughter pet horses, often in their own stall or paddock, shows the increasing boldness of those involved in the industry.

"The people are getting so brazen. The people doing the butchering think they are untouchable and are not going to get caught."

He believes authorities have not done nearly enough to shut down the slaughter farms. He does not believe they were pleased when he publicly exposed the problem.

"I had no choice but to throw it out in the media."

He believes some agencies have deliberately turned a blind eye to the operations, perhaps fearful of those behind the industry.

Couto describes the notorious C9 Basin as a kind of rural wetland buffer zone between Miami and the Everglades. It is home to the main concentration of some 70 illegal slaughter farm operations, and he says little is done by the operators to disguise their purpose.

While the operations will slaughter anything from cattle to goats or pigs, horses are their most profitable meat.

Couto is not about to give up his fight to save the horses of Florida.

He has left his work with the South Florida SPCA and has set up his own organisation, the Animal Recovery Mission, to carry on his work.

Couto's eyes were first opened to the illegal slaughter farms about two years ago. Working for the SPCA, he took part in a raid at one of the farms.


Freedom's Flight
That day, a three-year-old thoroughbred named Freedom's Flight was rescued. He was in poor condition and, with a broken leg, was probably hours away from being slaughtered. Impeccable breeding that included Seattle Slew and Secretariat in his lineage was not about to save him from the butcher's knife.

Today, in Couto's care, Freedom's Flight looks everything inch the champion his breeding would suggest.

Freedom's Flight has motivated Couto to press on with his crusade, collecting evidence that he hopes will motivate the authorities to act.

Couto's efforts have seen some moves towards greater co-operation between agencies.

His Animal Recovery Mission is dedicated to stopping illegal horse slaughter and the shutdown of illegal slaughter farms.

"People have said,'It must be hard to catch the butchers who do the killings'.

"Actually, it's as easy as walking in, picking out a animal and paying a $15 kill fee.

"I've asked myself for over a year now, 'How does a violent lawless industry such as this stay active and untouched by government agencies for over 30 years?"

Couto emphasises that there is very little effort to disguise the operation of the slaughter farms.

All that is needed is some resolve from agencies to shut them down.
More information: http://www.animalrecoverymission.org/

VISIT THESE WEBSITES AND GAIN KNOWLEDGE ON WHAT'S GOING ON!
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/florida009.shtml "HORSE BUTCHERY IN FLORIDA"
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/slaughter2009.shtml "HORSE SLAUGHTER IN THE NEWS"

COPY THIS STORY AND SEND IT TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!! FLOOD THE PHONE LINES OF THE MEDIA IN FLORIDA AND IN KENTUCKY AND GET THEM TO SHUT THESE PLACES DOWN! This is the United States of America and if Cuban's want to do something illegal, THEN GO TO CUBA!!! LEAVE OUR INNOCENT AND COMPANION HORSES ALONE!!!


Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?