News Opinion by R.T. Fitch:

Horse Slaughter is Now a Felony in Florida

While states such as Wyoming, Montana, Tennessee and Missouri are actively ruining their images by attempting to bring the predatory business of horse slaughter within their boarders, the great state of Florida has taken a leap forward and done exactly the opposite in an effort to make their state safer for both horses and the people who appreciate them.

The Florida Horse Protection Bill was signed into law by Governor Crist on Friday, May 14.  It becomes effective July 1, 2010 as Chapter 2010-87 of Florida Statutes.

Equine advocates from around the world applaud Florida for initiating this landmark legislation which brings “America’s dirty little secret” out into the light and squashes it for all the lucky horses who reside in the Sunshine State.

SB 1708, sponsored by Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, and HB 765, sponsored by Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami, were introduced in response to incidents of horses being stolen and butchered for human consumption within Florida over the last two years. The bill makes it a felony to kill, maim or mutilate a horse, and prohibits the transport, sale, distribution or possession of horse meat that is not acquired from a “licensed slaughterhouse.” Since no operations in Florida are licensed to slaughter horses, this amounts to an outright prohibition on the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

“The incidents of horses being stolen, killed, and butchered in Florida has shocked and outraged the people of this state,” said Jennifer Hobgood, Florida state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “This bill enshrines the special place that our equine companions occupy for all Floridians. We urge Governor Crist to sign the bill immediately so people will get the message loud and clear that horses are to be protected and cherished, not cruelly slaughtered and butchered.”

In response to the incidents, authorities posted a $20,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the persons responsible for the crimes. Police in Miami-Dade County have charged at least four individuals with killing horses and selling their meat to undercover officers.

Rep. Garcia said, “It is my hope that these harsh punishments will eliminate this horrendous crime in our state. You  really can’t understand the true limits of human depravity until you have spoken with someone who has had their pet butchered alive for meat; it is heart-breaking…Missouri may be gearing up to butcher these majestic animals but at least Americans can be sure that their horses will be safe in the state of Florida.”

Sen. Crist said, “Horses are regarded in our culture as treasured and noble companions, and this bill reflects the distaste that most Floridians have for the practice of killing and butchering them for human consumption.”

The bill also contains measures sponsored by Rep. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Wellington, to expedite custody hearings for animals seized in cruelty cases and remove individuals with animal cruelty convictions from exemptions under the Veterinary Practice Act.

Our collective hats are off to all the individuals and organizations that worked so hard to ensure that this bill was passed.  Florida is now number #1 in the “Horse Friendly” tourist destination category while the pro-slaughter states will need to look elsewhere for their lost tourist revenue.   The blood money just is not worth it.