Are there any laws related to equine slaughter in the United States?
In the United States, the laws related to equine slaughter have changed over time. On December 7, 2006, a law was passed that banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption. This meant that horses could no longer be killed in the United States for the purpose of providing meat for consumption. While the law forbids the killing of horses for human consumption, horses can still be humanely euthanized in some states. In New York, the law allows for euthanasia of horses in cases where the horse is suffering from an injury or illness and cannot be healed or managed with available resources. In these cases, a veterinarian must certify that the horse needs to be put down, and any euthanized horse must be disposed of in a humane manner. Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the transport and export of horses that are intended to be slaughtered overseas. According to the USDA, no horse over the age of 18 months can be transported to a slaughterhouse outside the United States for the purpose of slaughter. The USDA also enforces several other standards related to the humane treatment of horses during transport and export. In summary, the laws related to equine slaughter in the United States forbid the killing of horses for human consumption and regulate the humane treatment of horses regardless of their ultimate fate.
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