Revised:  11/12/2009

American Horse Council Press Release   January 22, 2009

Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009

     On January 14, 2009 Representative John Conyers (D-MI) re-introduced the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009 (H.R.503). The bill, which has sixty cosponsors, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Conyers is chairman of that committee.

     This bill would criminalize the possession, transport, sale, delivery, or receiving in interstate or foreign commerce of a horse or horse meat with the intent that it be used for human consumption. It would thus apply to the transport and sale of horses for slaughter in the U.S. or to a foreign country.

     Penalties would include fines and/or one year imprisonment for a first offense or one involving five or fewer horses. Offenses involving more than five horses or repeat offenders would face increased fines and/or up to three years imprisonment.

     The bill introduced in the last Congress required that the "Attorney General shall provide for the humane placement or other humane disposition of any horse seized in connection with an offense under this section." However, the bill introduced this year no longer contains this requirement and makes no provisions for seized horses.

     The bill amends Title 18 of the U.S. criminal code, which deals with animal cruelty prohibitions.

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