Both the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the largest rodeo-sanctioning organization in the world, and the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPRA), have come down unequivocally as pro-horse slaughter.
This really should come as no surprise to anyone who knows the real motive behind the rodeo industry. Not "American values" or "cowboy heritage" or "the spirit of the west" - just profit. And what the rodeo industry wants is a way to make every last dime from all the horses they shock, beat, drag, and buck. Once these rodeo horses are "used up" or injured, many are trucked straight to the slaughterhouse. See the horrors that are routine for horses in the rodeo industry in this VIDEO and more at RodeoCruelty.com
This horse was fatally injured in the "wild horse race." Rodeo
people claim to love their victims, but untold numbers are
injured and killed. The rodeo associations refuse to disclose
injury reports.
On the PRCA's website, in their section ironically titled "PRCA Animal Welfare News", this rodeo goliath has repeatedly urged their supporters to contact their Congresspersons and express opposition to the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
The below article was written by the person who calls herself the "Animal Issues Coordinator" for the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPRA).
What this title means is that Ms. Lehrke attempts to stop progressive efforts on behalf of animals, especially those victimized by the Rodeo Mafia. This time Ms. Lehrke was to dissuade legislators from doing the right thing for horses. Why? Because rodeo thugs use, abuse and discard untold numbers of horses after they can no longer buck enough to put on a show.
This injured horse leaves a rodeo arena to certain death.
Where do many of these horses go? To slaughter. The rodeo people can make a few more bucks off their misery, and that's exactly what you can expect them to do -- make every penny possible, no matter what the cost to the victim.
It is particularly comical (in a disgusting way) that Lehrke wants to keep Congress from considering important animal issues, when she and every other rodeo supporter wants Congress to declare a "Day of the Cowboy" -- an utterly useless piece of garbage legislation designed to help the Rodeo Mafia ferret out more corporate and government contributions to their already burgeoning welfare roles. These people are such mopes!
This horse was used in spite of an injury to its hoof. The
blood spattersinside the chute shows that this wasn't the
first injured animal used.
In addition to urging rodeo supporters to write their Congressperson to favor horse slaughter, using an appallingly patronizing form letter (read it for yourself below), the IPRA's "Animal Issues Coordinator" chooses not only to ignore the facts but to insult Rep. Sweeney's awareness of them. To wit, the multitude of national polls have repeatedly shown that anywhere between 69% and 93% of Americans are opposed to slaughtering horses for food. Even the lowest percentage in these polls is still a large majority. Why does Ms. Lehrke persist in disseminating untruths? That's just the way of those in the rodeo industry.
SHARK hopes those who care about horses will remember who it is that not only helps to supply horse slaughterhouses, but then makes every attempt to stand in the way of improving their lives -- the Rodeo Mafia.
For more information about the reality of the rodeo industry, go to RodeoCruelty.com.
PRO RODEO WORLD, December 2006 (The magazine of the International Pro Rodeo Association)
From the IRONS IN THE FIRE section
Laying a Foundation
Even though the new legislative session hasn't started, Congress is abuzz intitiating its newly-elected members. I'm thinking about the new members and wishing I could come up with a message that would lay a good foundation for sensible thinking on the kinds of legislation where sensible thinking ought to be requred.
When Representative John E. Sweeney (R-NY) introduced the bill to ban horse slaughter, he said, "We need to put an end to this practice once and for all. It's inhumane, and the vast majority of Americans agree with what we're trying to do."
It's true that Congreess heard from a great many people who were passionate in their desire to see horse slaughter stopped, but I think the idea is mistaken that the outpouring represented the wishes of most of the people in the country.
It simply is not an issue for most people.
And, in my mind, it is the kind of legislation that Congress should not consider. But, how does one tell them it is not their business?
Dear Newly-Elected member of Congress:
As we watched news coverage of your campaign, we did not see discussion, opinion or questions regarding the status of animals, their use, or treatment. We understand this to mean that the people you represent believe your work for the nation should deal with issues that affect the safety, prosperity, and the equitable treatment of people.
You may be surprised during your term in Congreess at the volume of correspondence you will receive on issues affecting animals. People who advocate for social change for animals are driven and politically sophisticated, but their positions do not reflect the interest or agreement of the "vast majority of Americans" as Representative Sweeney stated in support of the bill to ban horse slaughter. The vast majority is focused on trying to make a living for themelves and their families and to improve their quality of life.
Advocacy for animals is a worthwhile endeavor and there are many opportunities and avenues for it to be fostered, but is was not the intention of the framers of the Constitution that it should be the work of Congress.
The legitimacy of "To regulate commerce..." is sorely abused when a bill is based on nothing other than emotion for an animal species.
