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A Christmas Tree For America’s Horses

(Sent by Carol Chapman, The Last Refuge)

Your support is needed for Illinois state representative Bob Molaro’s bill that will ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption in Illinois.

This critical legislation (HB 3845) comes just as the Cavel International horse slaughter plant located DeKalb, Illinois is set to reopen its doors at the beginning of next year. Representative Molaro, a longtime humane advocate, took this step immediately after hearing the news that horse slaughter was threatening to move back into his state.

Representative Molaro's actions help to highlight the strong coalition of horse owners, concerned animal
welfare groups, rescue, and breed associations that have formed a grass root group determined to end horse slaughter in the US. Illinois residents (facing a soon to be opened slaughter plant), and Texans (currently in a legal battle to shut down the two plants operating illegally there) are united in the battle to keep horse slaughter out of their states and have gained support from individuals and groups in other states and abroad.

Please join us.

To highlight this effort, and showcase those that care, the Against Slaughter Grass Roots Coalition is presenting a symbol to America’s horses. Everyone that stands up to be counted, and all organizations
involved will be represented and named on the American Horse Christmas Tree to be erected in Texas. All of the lights, names, and ornaments will blaze with our caring and concern for the safety of our horses.

Let’s show the legislators of Illinois, Texas, and the United States that we are united in our cry “Until the last horse is safe, we will not rest.” Help us give the gift of Safety to America’s horses, let no horse stand last and cry as he waits to die.

What you can do:

Please write, call, fax, or email all members of the Illinois General Assembly urging them to support Rep. Molaro's bill HB3845 to ban horse slaughter in Illinois.

Let your friends and neighbors know what is happening behind the closed doors of the slaughter houses.
Write your newspapers, call the radio stations, get the word out.

Action is needed on this immediately to ensure the Cavel International horse slaughter plant never reopens. The General Assembly can address this bill as early as November and our Christmas present to the horses of America will be safety from a cruel, painful death in Illinois.

Remember to let us know of your efforts, and tell others as well.

We are planning to decorate a Christmas tree with the names and letters of those that have chosen to give the gift of Safety to America’s Horses.

We challenge you to make this the biggest, brightest tree that has ever graced this nation. Let the lights of the American Horse’s Christmas tree shine bright with our wishes for their safety and the passage of this law.

You can find a list of the members of the IL House Agriculture Committee at: http://www.legis.state.il.us/house/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=86

At the bottom of this alert, you can find a list of contact information for the members of the IL House Agriculture Committee and a sample letter/fax.

You will find a complete list of the contact information for the Representatives at: http://www.legis.state.il.us/house/ (Then click on each Representatives name for a mailing address, phone, and fax number.)

You can also help by writing to your newspapers, calling and writing the radio and TV stations, by getting the word out.

If you want to participate, send a message to lastrefuge.geo at yahoo.com with your name, and a brief letter/list with your wishes for the horses. We will put an ornament or a purple ribbon, with your name and your letter/list of wishes for the horses attached to it, on the Tree.

We challenge you to make this the biggest, brightest tree that has ever graced this nation. Let the lights of the American Horses Christmas tree shine bright with our wishes for their safety and the passage of HR 857 and HB 3845. Horse Protection and Animal Welfare Organizations, Horse Rescues, schools, individuals, etc. can participate in this beautiful ceremony to gain support of HR 857 and HB 3845.

IL HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CONTACT INFO

Representative Dan Reitz (D)
116th District, Chairman
Springfield Office:
200-9S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1018
(217) 782-0945 FAX

Representative John E. Bradley (D)
117th District
Springfield Office:
257-S Stratton Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1051
(217) 782-0882 FAX

Representative Rich Brauer (R)
100th District
Springfield Office:
E-1 Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0053
(217) 782-0897 FAX

Representative Shane Cultra (R)
105th District
Springfield Office:
230-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL
(217) 558-1039
(217) 558-1098 FAX

Representative Roger L. Eddy (R)
109th District
Springfield Office:
222-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL
(217) 558-1040
(217) -217 FAX

Representative Robert F. Flider (D)
101st District
Springfield Office:
282-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8398
(217) 782-2528 FAX

Representative William J. Grunloh (D)
108th District
Springfield Office:
258-W Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-2087
(217) 524-0867 FAX

Representative Frank J. Mautino (D)
76th District
Springfield Office:
286-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0140
(217) 557-7680 FAX

Representative Donald L. Moffitt (R)
74th District
Springfield Office:
223-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8032
(217) 557-0179 FAX

Representative Richard P. Myers (R)
94th District
Springfield Office:
200-7N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0416
(217) 782-5257 FAX

Representative Mary K. O'Brien (D)
75th District
Springfield Office:
255-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-4535
(217) 782-7631 FAX

Representative Brandon W. Phelps (D)
118th District
Springfield Office:
265-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL
(217) 782-5131
(217) -217 FAX

Representative Jim Sacia (R)
89th District
Springfield Office:
210-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL
(217) 782-8186
(217) 558-7016 FAX

Representative Michael K. Smith (D)
91st District
Springfield Office:
278-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8152
(217) 557-4415 FAX

Representative Patrick Verschoore (D)
72nd District
Springfield Office:
250-W Stratton Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5970
(217) -217 FAX

Representative Dave Winters (R)
68th District
Assistant Republican Leader
Springfield Office:
238-W Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0455
(217) 782-1139 FAX

SAMPLE LETTER/FAX TO IL REPRESENTATIVES

(Cut and paste it in a text file, fill the gaps and then print it out. We encourage you to "customize" it with your own words so the letters do not look like "form letters", thank you!)

The Honorable ________________
Illinois General Assembly
Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Representative _______________:

I urge you to support H.B. 3845, a bill introduced by Representative Robert S. Molaro that would prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption in Illinois and the trade and transport of horseflesh and live horses intended for human consumption.

The foreign-owned horse slaughter industry has slaughtered and exported for human consumption over 3 million American horses in the last 2 decades. One of these slaughter plants, the Belgian owned Cavel International, Inc., is trying to rebuild its facilities in DeKalb, Illinois. Please, do not let this happen!

Horses slaughtered in these foreign-owned plants in the United States have often been hauled several thousand miles over several days, contrary to acceptable non-slaughter standards for water, food, and rest.

Horses sent to be slaughtered are often shipped on crowded double deck trucks designed for shorter necked species such as pigs, cattle and sheep, and are forced to travel in a bent position which can result in suffering, injury and death.

Callous and extremely inhumane treatment at the slaughterhouse results in prolonged suffering. Horses endure repeated blows to the head with stunning equipment that often does not render the animals unconscious and often horses remain conscious during their own slaughter, including throat
slitting.

Horse slaughter is a barbaric, despicable business, and a vast majority of Americans are opposed to it, and they, together with numerous equine and other organizations, are currently working to get the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (which has 6 Cosponsors from Illinois) enacted in order to ban it entirely from this country altogether.

Americans do not eat horses; we do not raise our horses for food. The only reason horse slaughter exists is to satisfy the palates of foreigners who consider horseflesh a delicacy.

Killer buyers who travel from one auction to the next filling up their trucks provide the horses for this industry.

Others are stolen; even our federally protected wild horse population can end up there.

In addition, horse slaughter promotes horse theft: Since California banned the slaughter of horses in 1998, horse theft has decreased over 30%.

Also, in spite of contrary claims, the great majority of the horses slaughtered are not old, sick, crippled or unwanted, but instead, are young, healthy American horses, including federally protected wild horses, pregnant mares and mares with very young foals at their side.

Because horses in America are not food animals, veterinarians commonly prescribe and treat horses with potent drugs that may reside in the horseflesh and be dangerous when consumed by humans.

Horses have played a significant role in the history and culture of the United States. As a non-food and recreational animal, horses should be protected from slaughter. Again, I urge you to support and cosponsor H.B. 3845.

I look forward to receiving a response from you regarding your position on this issue, which is of importance to me.

Sincerely,____________________

© 1999, Roberta Stone

Cavel Intends to Rebuild!

URGENT ALERT ON HORSE SLAUGHTER -- UPDATE!
(sent by Angela Miller and Daniel Cordero Fernandez)

Subjects:

REPORT ON THE 9/27/03 CAVEL VIGIL.

CAVEL'S SLAUGHTERHOUSE REBUILDING: UPDATE!

FAXES, PHONE CALLS, LETTERS AND EMAILS URGENTLY NEEDED IN SUPPORT OF BILL
HR 857, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act!


"CAVEL INTERNATIONAL"-- the Illinois slaughterhouse which burnt in Eastern 2002, (which is a subsidiary of a Belgian company called "Velda Group") is attempting to REBUILD ITS HORSE SLAUGHTERHOUSE IN DEKALB, ILLINOIS.

THE SITUATION IS CRITICAL, PLEASE, FAX, E-MAIL, CALL AND WRITE INMEDIATELY to the Community Development Department Staff, the Council Staff and the Major (see contact information below, use US mail, email are not read) and ask them to cancel and reject Cavel´s rebuilding and to strip away the building permits (including the special building permit).

They already have the pre-building permits, and they are awaiting an definitive building permit
from the Community Development Department and the City Council.

PLEASE FAX, CALL AND E-MAIL THEM TODAY AND KEEP CALLING THEM DURING THE NEXT MONTH
THEY CAN GIVE CAVEL THE DEFINITIVE BUILDING PERMIT IN ANY MOMENT! THE SITUATION IS CRITICAL AND THERE IS NO TIME TO LOOSE!

Cavel is currently using a Special Use Permit to start the rebuilding and it is awaiting a definitive permit. We MUST, we HAVE TO STOP THEM BEFORE THEY GET IT! We NEED YOUR HELP!

This Special Use Permit can be revoked at any time by the City Development Center´s Officials with the City Council under the Section 14.03.06 of the DeKalb´s Zoning Ordinance (you can find a copy on: http://www.cityofdekalb.com/comdev/udo/art-14.pdf).

Remember the situation is CRITICAL: Faxes, letters, e-mails and phone calls are URGENTLY NEEDED TO STOP AND BLOCK CAVEL´S HORSE SLAUGHERHOUSE REBUILDING. Do not wait until tomorrow and do NOT stop faxing, writing, emailing and calling them for the next weeks.

The City Development Center has responsibility of granting or revoke the permits; so please send your letters, faxes, e-mails and call the following Development Center Staff, who have the direct responsibility of
granting/revoking permits (see contact info below).

===================DEKALB´S OFFICIALS CONTACT INFO=================

Mr. Paul Rasmussen,
City Development Director.
City of DeKalb´s Community Development Center
223 S. Fourth Street,
DeKalb, Illinois, IL 60115
Phone: 815-748-2365
Fax: 815-748-2359
prasmussen@cityofdekalb.com

Mr. Ray Keller
City Planner.
City of DeKalb´s Community Development Center
223 S. Fourth Street,
DeKalb, Illinois, IL 60115
Phone: 815-748-2367
Fax: 815-748-2359 (yes it is the same, you only have to change the attention
line)
E-mail: rkeller@cityofdekalb.com

Ernie Pinne - Chief Building Inspector
City of DeKalb´s Community Development Center
223 S. Fourth Street - Suite A
DeKalb, Illinois, IL 60115
Phone 815-748-2070
direct 815-748-2377
Fax 815-748-2359
email: epinne@cityofdekalb.com

Mr. Russ Farnum,
Principal City Planner.
City of DeKalb´s Community Development Center
223 S. Fourth Street,
DeKalb, Illinois, IL 60115
Phone: 815-748-2060
email: rfarnum@cityofdekalb.com

City of DeKalb, Community Development Department,
Fax: 815-748-2359,
Phone: 815-748-2060,
website: www.cityofdekalb.com
cbryden@cityofdekalb.com

Also, DO NOT STOP PRESSING THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL:

CONTACT INFO:

DEKALB´S MAYOR.
Major Greg Sparrow
200 S. Fourth St. Room 203
DeKalb, IL. 60115
(815) 748-2099
E-MAIL: gsparrow@cityofdekalb.com

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Karega Harris
827 Russell Rd., #55
815 753-9921
1st Ward
E-MAIL: kharris@cityofdekalb.com

Kris Povlsen
149 Joanne Lane
815 758-4682
2nd Ward
E-MAIL: kpovlsen@cityofdekalb.com

Steve Kapitan
1228 Sycamore Road
815 754-4998
3rd Ward
E-MAIL: skapitan@cityofdekalb.com

Mike Knowlton
416 South 10th Street
815 761-3821
4th Ward
E-MAIL: mknowlton@cityofdekalb.com

Pat Conboy
763 Haish Boulevard
815 758-2610
5th Ward
E-MAIL: pconboy@cityofdekalb.com

Dave Baker
560 W. Lincoln Highway
815 739-1668
6th Ward
E-MAIL: dbaker@cityofdekalb.com

James Barr
910 Spiros Ct. #5
815 754-9292
7th Ward
E-MAIL: jbarr@cityofdekalb.com

Donna Johnson - City Clerk
200 S. Fourth St. Room 213
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-748-2095
Fax: 815-748-2089
E-MAIL: djohnson@cityofdekalb.com

Jim Connors - City Manager
200 S. Fourth St. Room 211
DeKalb, IL. 60115
(815) 748-2090
E-MAIL: jconnors@cityofdekalb.com

Margo Ely - City Attorney
200 S. Fourth St.
DeKalb, IL. 60115
(815) 748-2093
E-MAIL: mely@cityofdekalb.com
Assistant:
Dawn Didier- Assistant City Attorney
E-MAIL: ddidier@cityofdekalb.com

Also send letters to the members of the DeKalb´s chamber of commerce:
kim@dekalb.org (Attn: Kim Kubiak, Executive Director).

Sample language for letter.

Please revise and edit so that all letters received do not appear as "form letters".

RE: Cavel International˜Rebuilding of Horse Slaughter Plant in DeKalb, Illinois.

I write to urge you to revoke the special permit given to Cavel International for the rebuilding of the horse slaughter plant in DeKalb.

Horse slaughter is a despicable business, and a vast majority of Americans are opposed to it, and they, together with numerous equine and other organizations, are currently working to get the American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act enacted in order to ban it entirely from this country altogether.

Americans do not eat horses; we do not raise our horses for food. The only reason horse slaughter exists is to satisfy the palates of foreigners who consider horse flesh a delicacy. The horses for this industry are provided by "killer buyers" who travel from one auction to the next filling up their trucks. Others are stolen; even our protected wild horse population can end up there. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest.

Fighting and injuries, even death, are common. Callous and extremely inhumane treatment at the slaughterhouse results in prolonged suffering. Improper use of stunning equipment, designed to render the animal unconscious with a swift shot to the head, means that horses sometimes endure repeated blows, and remain conscious during their own slaughter, including throat slitting.

Help end this barbaric practice for good by revoking Cavel's permit to rebuild and stopping them going any further today.

Thank you.

Find background information on Mary Nash's site, including:

April 12, 2002 article re Cavel fire--
http://kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/MeatNews04122002.htm

Feb. 28, 2003 article re Cavel fire--
http://kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/NorthernStar02282003.htm

Cavel's special use permit granted December 10, 2001--
http://kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/DeKalbSUP2001.pdf

End All Horse Slaughter NOW!

Anti Slaughter Bill (H.R. 857)

This bill would seek to prevent the slaughter of horses in and from the United States for human consumption. Go here for our analyses of this bill and more information about it.

FAXES, PHONE CALLS, LETTERS AND EMAILS URGENTLY NEEDED IN SUPPORT OF BILL HR 857, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act!

Representatives John Sweeney (R-NY) and John Spratt (D-SC) have introduced bill HR 857, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, a bill that would PROHIBIT HORSE SLAUGHTER IN THE US.; THE EXPORTATION-IMPORTATION OF HORSES FOR SLAUGHTER (to ensure that American horses are not transported across the U.S. borders to be slaughtered in Canada, Mexico or Japan) AND THE TRADE OF
HORSE MEAT AT FEDERAL LEVEL.

This bill is now referred to the House Committees of Agriculture (Subcommittee of Horticulture and Livestock), Ways and Means (Subcommittee of Trade) and International Relations; awaiting an action. Also in most part of the horse industry supports this bill.

FAXES, PHONE CALLS, EMAILS AND LETTERS TELLING CONGRESSMEN TO SUPPORT AND COSPONSOR BILL HR 857 ARE URGENTLY NEEDED TO PERSUADE THEM TO PASS THE BILL.

Center your faxes, calls, letters and emails on the members of that committees, apart from your own Congressmen. Use preferably the fax, the written letter to both District and Washington Offices and the e-mail. At the same time, the lobbyist of the foreign-owned horse slaughter industry will try to destroy the bill. WE CANNOT LET THAT HAPPEN

Quickly, contact your Elected Officials and tell them to SUPPORT AND BECOME AN ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR OF BILL HR 857.

Do not waste time, Start faxing, calling, writing and emailing today!!! This is the best chance we have to put an end to horse slaughter in the US, and to protect our beloved equine friends from
this nightmare. YOUR HELP AND COLLABORATION ARE CRITICAL, VITAL

If you need more information about bill HR 857 log on to http://www.saplonline.org/Legislation/ahpa.htm
You can find who your Representative or Senator is by logging on to http://www.saplonline.org/congress.htm or by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

If you need more information or have questions about this issues or horse slaughter contact us.

Also, see what really happens in a typical slaughter house or rendering facility here!

The Honorable _______________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515
Dear Representative _______________:

I urge you to support H.R. 857, a bill that would prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the trade and transport of horseflesh and live horses intended for human consumption.

The foreign-owned horse slaughter industry has slaughtered and exported for human consumption over 3 million American horses in the last 2 decades. Horses slaughtered in these foreign-owned plants in the United States have often been hauled several thousand miles over several days, contrary to acceptable non-slaughter standards for water, food, and rest.

Horses sent to be slaughtered are often shipped on crowded double deck trucks designed for shorter necked species such as pigs, cattle and sheep, and are forced to travel in a bent position which can result in suffering, injury and death. Horses endure repeated blows to the head with stunning equipment that often does not render the animals unconscious. Some horses proceed still conscious through the remaining stages of slaughter being bled out and dismembered.

Because horses in America are not food animals, veterinarians commonly prescribe and treat horses with potent drugs that may reside in the horseflesh and be dangerous when consumed by humans.

Horses have played a significant role in the history and culture of the United States. As a non-food and recreational animal, horses should be protected from slaughter. I urge you to support H.R. 857 and I look forward to receiving a response from you regarding your position on this issue, which is of importance to me.

Sincerely,