What is the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act?

The Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is a law passed in California which was designed to protect horses from slaughter. The law was enacted in 2005, and prohibits “paying any kind of consideration, including money, for the purchase or acquisition of a horse, with the intent to slaughter the horse for human consumption”. As such, the law applies not only to those who purchase horses for slaughter, but also to anyone who assists in the transaction or provides transportation for horses intended to be killed and sold for human consumption. The law also requires owners of horses intended for slaughter to provide proof that the horses are not intended for human consumption. This includes proof of veterinarian certification, and a signed affidavit by the owner stating they are not purchasing or transporting the horse for this purpose. The Horse Slaughter Prevention Act aimed to reduce the number of horses slaughtered for human consumption in California. However, a survey conducted in 2009 showed that the law was proving to be ineffective. This survey revealed that the majority of horses purchased for slaughter were brought in from out of state, circumventing the California law. The Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is an important piece of equine law in California, but it has failed to stop the sale of horses for slaughter. In order to make a real difference, other methods need to be implemented that are more effective at preventing the slaughter of horses.

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