By LAURENNE RAMSDELL of the Foster’s Daily Democrat
Declan Gregg joins “Horses on the Hill”
Declan Gregg and Congressman Moran in D.C. last month ~ photo by Terry Fitch
GREENLAND, NH — Nine-year-old Declan Gregg will take his efforts to end the brutal treatment of horses back to the nation’s Capitol today, joining forces with the “Horses on the Hill” campaign and Congressman Frank Guinta to bring an end to the horse slaughtering.
This week’s venture to Washington, D.C., comes only a month after Declan’s first trip to the Capitol, where he spoke to Congress about the U.S. slaughtering industry and its inhumane treatment of horses.
The 9-year-old’s interest in horses grew dramatically after finding out the methods used to slaughter horses. After studying both sides of the slaughtering industry, reading information that both promoted and opposed the killing of such animals, Declan said he wanted to do all he could to help save horses from such a fate.
Declan created a blog, www.children4horses.blogspot.com, to provide readers with links to various horse related websites and information about legislation related to the meat packaging industry.
After being made aware of a bill going through the state Legislature that would exclude horse meat from inspection, processing and sales, Declan testified for the cause he is so passionate about before a packed house at the state’s capitol in Concord.
The 9-year-old’s efforts to voice his concern over the inhumane treatment of horses did not end there, however, as he then went to Washington, D.C., to address the U.S. Congress.
Joining forces with representatives of the Million Horse March, Declan presented Congressman Frank Guinta with more than 200 letters he had collected from children detailing why protecting horses is so important to them.
Moved by Declan’s drive to lobby for what he believes in, the congressman has decided to co-sponsor a bill known as H.R. 2966 or the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
According to Declan’s mother, Stacie Gregg, Guinta called her son last week to tell him that his advocacy for horses inspired him to take a stand on the inhumane treatment of horses.
Gregg said the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has invited Declan back to D.C. to continue lobbying against horse slaughter along with representatives of the “Horses on the Hill” campaign. Once there, Declan will also team up with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), who are participating in the “Horses on the Hill” lobbying event.
While lobbying with the “Horses on the Hill” campaign, Declan will have the opportunity to meet with an array of legislators to speak about the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
“I think it will be good for him as an advocate to learn the ropes about how lobbying works,” said Gregg.
Eager to reunite with Guinta, Declan will meet with the congressman today so he can thank him for his co-sponsorship and talk about the ways they can work together to address horse brutality.
Related articles
- Boy’s Effort to Save Horses from Slaughter Hits Stride (rtfitchauthor.com)
- Nine-year-old Declan Gregg goes to Washington to lobby for the horses (examiner.com)
- NH Boy Joins Fight to Save America’s Horses (rtfitchauthor.com)
- Saving Horses from Slaughter: NH Boy Blogs, Testifies before Legislature about why Practice must be Halted (rtfitchauthor.com)
- 9 Year Old NH Boy Takes Saving American Horses from Slaughter to the Air Waves (rtfitchauthor.com)
- NH Boy Continues Pro-Horse Media Blitz (rtfitchauthor.com)
- Moran Calls for Ban on Horse Slaughter (rtfitchauthor.com)
Categories: Horse News, Horse Slaughter
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Hopefully this young man’s innocent common sense and compassion can influence the hard hearted and numb minds of some of our elected congressional representatives because letters, faxing, calling, petitions, rallying doesn’t phase them. They turn their backs on the request of 80% of Americans who slaughter stopped in favor of corporate lobbyist and agencies like the Depart of Agriculture and BLM who disregard our Laws, our Rights, Our public lands, and respect for animals. Praying something gets through to them and they pass legislation to protect equines from slaughter and stop the round ups of our wild herds which so many end up slaughter.
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Beautifully put, Kate.
“And a little child shall lead them” is true for every cause, in every era. It’s the qualities of innocence and truth that are going into battle against guilt and greed, isn’t it. Truth always acquits itself, by its very nature as the only legitimate power.
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BlessUsAll: Beautifully said.
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What a wondeful Child Declan his wisdom , commonsense, Bless Declan for his determination , he fights for Beauty that belongs to America forever, their promised Freedom must be fought for at every level , Declan, you will touch the hearts and minds of those in power and make them realize the Huge Mistake that they are making !!!!
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Arlene: I agree with you. I would hope that this young man to be can get through to all in Congress to stop what we have been fighting for so long. May God be watching over him and providing that last push that we and the American wild horses and donkeys have needed for so long in coming to the right end — the stopping of all horse slaughter in the U.S. FOR GOOD. Then, we will need to go after the “killer buyers” and the auction houses.
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In addition to above — the end as well to all the BLM roundups.
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Dear Lynne, Our horses have been suffering for years, Slaughter, roundups , abuse, all that they have suffered can be traced back to nothing else but GREED, Lynne , no one can cure GREED, we need to make it unprofitable, and against the LAW, I think State by State make it impossible to cross their borders with a Slaughter truck , this can be done !!!!!!!!!!!!! If ya cant cross the borders of every State !!!!!!! PROBLEM SOLVED
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If I had a dream machine, I would rescue a slaughter bound beauty for deserving Declan and set up a fund to provide lifetime care for his horse.
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Lisa, I’m with you. What a beautiful gift to Declan that would be and so thoughtful as well in providing a way for the lifetime care for the horse. This would be amazing.
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Declan is the horse’s Light at the end of the slaughter pipeline tunnel.
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Incredible young man!
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Lisa Norman, what a beautiful thought! I know there is a very, very special horse in this young man’s future.
I just wonder if the good (sarcasm intended) Jack Kingston of Georgia will have the guts to meet Declan this time around. He was “too busy” last month. My guess is no, he will not have the fortitude in his empty soul to look this brave young man in the eye. I am ashamed to say that anyone in my home state of Georgia could support this brutal, inhumane and totally unnecessary predatory business. But he is one of the three that saw fit to do so.
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Rhonda, too bad these three can’t get what they are trying to subject our beautiful horses through. A just reward for a “man of evil”.
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Is it just me , or has anyone else notice all the commericals on Televisions that have Horses in them ?????????For example the new Camry commerical, and many more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Arlene: You are right. I hope this is just the start. Maybe our eighty percent against horse slaughter and roundups will be pushing ninety plus percent. Oh, this would be great. I can’t imagine that we couldn’t win on all counts – finishing off any consideration of horse slaughter and horse roundups if this would come to pass. May God give Declan and us that extra push that will stop this travesty for GOOD.
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Dear Lynne, I am also wondering that these commercials are subliminal messages , there are so many, I think these commercials are awesome and they make our horses more up close , to those Americans who dont get to see them all the time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I hope Declan’s county school board hold’s this kd’s experience up to the other kids about how they can make a difference. I hope he gets an A in his history class cause I think all his travels and study has more than earned him a whole lot of extra credit.
Writing speech’s should easily earn him some extra credit for English classes.
I just think this kid is such an example. And the thing’s he’s learning today–in another 25 years of so–this kid will be running for President! And Declan if I’m still alive you have my vote!
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God bless you Declan. My horses know about you because I told them. They think you are better than Superman or Batman. they told me. Good luck and again God bless you.
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