For years, MFOA has heard stories about neglect and cruelty involving horses in Maine. Sadly, such cases appear to be on the increase, particularly due to the current economy and years of over-breeding. In the past year alone, MFOA has witnessed severe cases of cruelty to horses in Waldoboro, Minot, and Clinton.

In 2008, over 560 complaints regarding possible equine neglect or abuse were reported to local Animal Control Officers and/or the Animal Welfare Program.

Two years ago, MFOA organized a meeting of individuals most familiar with the issue of unwanted horses in Maine. Although there were differing ideas regarding the issue, all agreed there was a problem, and equine abuse, neglect and cruelty needed to be addressed. At that point it became MFOA’s newest focus issue.

In 2009, the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry directed a working group to Study Equine Husbandry Practices in the State. Among its recommendations was the creation of a "voluntary coalition of equine owners, private businesses, non-profit entities, public or private agencies, and other stake-holders interested in the future of Maine horses to provide education and assistance to horse owners and equine based businesses."

The Maine Equine Welfare Alliance (MEWA) is in its first year and organizing its members to meet its mission of being ‘dedicated to helping horse owners struggling to provide for their animals and
saving as many as possible from abuse, abandonment and neglect’. Subcommittees are now addressing hay/feed assistance, temporary foster care, veterinarian/farrier assistance, emergency response, public awareness/education and political action. It is encouraging that so many individuals involved with horses are meeting in an effort to improve the plight of unwanted/ uncared for horses in Maine.

Not in the MEWA mission, however is the issue of horse slaughter. There are no slaughter plants in this country, but unfortunately many horses are still being transported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter for human consumption outside the USA. It is estimated that approximately 1,500 horses are kept in Maine and transported across the border to be killed in two slaughter houses in Quebec. Some horses are transported to Maine from other states whileothers are given up by owners who are unable to provide for them.

Unfortunately, many owners have unknowingly given up their horses under the pretense of the buyer finding a good home for them and instead shipping them for slaughter.

They are hauled hundreds of miles for hours in cramped trailers, frightened, sometimes injured, with limited food and water, only to be further stressed at the terrors of a slaughter house. Their final hours can be horrific.

Maine Friends of Animals believes there is no justification for this practice and that Maine should not be party to it.

MFOA has submitted legislation to ban the transport and all other related activities involving horse slaughter.

Please actively support this legislation: contact your State Representative and Senator, and ask them to support and vote for ending Maine’s involvement in the slaughter of horses.

Talking Points: 
An Act to Prevent Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption Fact Sheet

MFOA comprehensive report on Horse Slaughter:
Stop the Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption