New WHB Bill Introduced in WA
BREAKING NEWS
May 23, 2024
Today in Washington, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) introduced new legislation “on behalf of” wild equines. This act is an amendment to the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, adding (among other things) felony criminal penalties for acquiring horses and burros for commercial product purposes (i.e. sales to a slaughterhouse).
Luna says this bill (“Wild Horse Integrity and Slaughter Prevention Act.”) will:
create a more efficient adoption process for wild horses and burros through the BLM Adoption and Sales program by significantly reducing the waiting period for adoptions from one-year down to just six-months — at which time adopters would be granted full animal ownership
create a strong deterrent against the sale of wild horses and burros to foreign slaughterhouses by making it a felony to knowingly transfer a wild horse or burro for processing into commercial products
In her press release, Congresswoman Luna states -
“Although the United States has banned horse slaughter facilities, many individuals are still seeking to circumvent our laws and profit off of these federally-protected animals by shipping them off to slaughterhouses abroad. My bill would incentivize the adoption of wild horses and burros to individuals who truly seek to care for the animals while disincentivizing criminals seeking to adopt the animals for nefarious purposes by charging them with a felony.”
You may read the bill here: Wild Horse Integrity and Slaughter Prevention Act
We have great concerns about the ability of this bill as written to protect wild horses and burros, let alone prevent them from going to slaughter.
We’ll be posting an analysis of this proposed bill and its components. You may keep an eye on this bill (sponsors, co-sponsors, language, etc.) here: H.R. 8541
Stay tuned!
~ The Cloud Team
Formerly wild Pryor mustangs, River & Biloxi, were adopted several years ago. They live with and are loved by TCF Board member, Lisa Friday, on her farm in VA.