Are there any laws related to the sale of horses for meat?
In California, the sale of horses for meat is illegal. This is defined as "any person who sells, barters, or exchanges, or who offers for sale, barter, or exchange, equine product for human consumption." Violating this law is punishable by misdemeanor fines and/or imprisonment. The reason for this law is due to the fact that horse meat is not considered safe for human consumption in California and across the United States. The presence of certain substances, such as phenylbutazone, in horse meat poses a risk to human health. Phenylbutazone is a type of painkiller used to treat horses, and consuming it can have dangerously negative health effects. Aside from the safety issue, California also has a stable of laws related to the sale of horses, including anti-cruelty and anti-slaughter laws. In addition to these laws, California requires that anyone buying or selling a live horse must obtain a horse sale permit. This permit allows local law enforcement to track the sale of horses and ensure that animal welfare laws are being observed. In conclusion, while it is not illegal to own and breed horses in California, the sale of horses for meat is strictly prohibited. This is due to the risk posed by the substance phenylbutazone and to prevent cruelty and abuse in the humane treatment of animals. California also requires that anyone buying or selling a live horse must obtain a horse sale permit, in order to track the sale of the animals and ensure that animal welfare laws are being observed.
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