Criminal Law. Prohibition on Slaughter of Horses and Sale of Horsemeat for Human Consumption. Initiative Statute.
	Argument in Favor of Proposition 6

PROP 6 "SAVE THE HORSES" PUTS CALIFORNIA HORSES BACK IN THE STABLE . . . AND OFF THE TABLE!

Horse Slaughter is virtually a secret industry to Californians. Nationally, TWO AND A HALF MILLION horses have been slaughtered for HUMAN CONSUMPTION and exported to foreign countries as a "gourmet" meat since 1986.

Horses slaughtered for human consumption are not humanely euthanized. Because they are slaughtered for human consumption, they are killed by splitting open their skulls with a four-inch spike then hung, bled and dismembered while still alive.

Slaughter is not exclusive to the old, sick, and crippled. Slaughter includes the young and healthy, our children's pets, frightened mares with helpless foals standing at their sides and our treasured wild mustangs.

Horses have evolved to be pleasure, recreational and sporting animals. Horses are not food animals. Existing laws protect our dogs and cats from slaughter and export. Our horses deserve this protection as well. When necessary, horses should be put to sleep humanely and rendered, not brutalized for export.

California was developed in partnership with the horse. They tilled our fields, pulled our wagons, delivered our mail. Horses have helped us immeasurably. Now we must help them by voting to prohibit their cruel and unnecessary slaughter.

People's horses are stolen, obtained under false pretenses and purchased for slaughter, without the owner's knowledge, to quickly be shipped out of state to a "no-questions asked" outlet.

Horse slaughter is contrary to basic American values. Californians do not support horse slaughter. Prop 6 would make it a crime to export and kill California's pleasure horses for foreign "gourmet" markets. It would also prohibit any California restaurant or supermarket from selling horsemeat to unwary California consumers.

WHY WE NEED THIS MEASURE:

• CALIFORNIANS DO NOT EAT HORSES. We shouldn't allow California's pleasure horses to be slaughtered and exported overseas for "gourmet" human consumption.
• Horse slaughter is cruel and inhumane.
• Horses can be bought for slaughter without the knowledge of the owner.
• Horses slaughtered to be eaten by humans cannot be humanely euthanized and must be killed in a cruel and inhumane fashion.
• Horsemeat is sold as a "gourmet" item, not to feed starving people.
• Existing laws protect dogs and cats from slaughter, our horses also deserve protection.
• Horses are recreational animals, not bred for human food.
• Horses are part of California's heritage and culture.
• Horse slaughter contributes to theft and consumer fraud.
• Californians do not want horsemeat sold in restaurants or supermarkets.
• The horse slaughter industry is all foreign owned, serving foreign interests.
• California sales tax and equine revenues are lost from the export of horses for slaughter for human consumption.

PROP 6 IS A CITIZENS, GRASSROOTS EFFORT SPONSORED BY CATHLEEN DOYLE, SHERRY DEBOER AND SIDNE J. LONG AND HAS OBTAINED BROAD BASED BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT

SUPPORTED BY:

• The California State Horsemen's Association
• Members of the United States Olympic Equestrian Team
• California Organization of Police and Sheriffs
• Thoroughbred Owners of California
• Del Mar, Golden Gate Fields and Hollywood Park Race Tracks

(This initiative is dedicated to California's horses.)

GINI RICHARDSON
Legislative Chair, California State Horsemen's Association

MICHAEL D. BRADBURY
Ventura County District Attorney

WILLIAM J. HEMBY
Legislative Chair, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS)