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HELENA – The Senate voted 27-23 to give initial approval to a bill that would give future horse slaughterhouses and processing plants in Montana protection from court injunctions seeking to stop them.House Bill 418, carried by Sen. Ryan Zinke, R-Whitefish, would allow privately owned horse slaughterhouses in Montana and protect them from legal challenges to the plant’s license. This means a court could not order an injunction against a facility once construction has begun.
The bill also requires that anyone challenging a slaughterhouse post a bond worth 20 percent of the construction costs or the value of the existing facility.
After passing the House 66-33, HB 418 was quickly voted through the Senate Agriculture Committee and onto the Senate floor.
The bill’s hearings have been long, emotional debates between farmers, ranchers and horse lovers. Senators said they have received hundreds of letters and phone calls from constituents on the issue.
Zinke said the bill is based on the traditional Montana viewpoint that horses are livestock and should have as much purpose in death as they did in life. Opponents view horses as treasured pets and pieces of Montana’s heritage.
“We have to decide as Montanans which viewpoint will go forth,” Zinke said.
He said horses that are old, too broken to ride, and too expensive to feed would be sent to the plants.
“I don’t say ‘equine processing plant,’” Zinke said. “I’m saying exactly what it is – it’s a slaughterhouse for horses.”
Supporters said not all horses will meet their end in a slaughterhouse because owners will have the choice.
“Give people that want to do it the opportunity,” Sen. Don Steinbeisser, R-Sidney, said.
Other supporters said the slaughterhouses would create job opportunities in Montana’s struggling economy.
But opponents asked why the state should give horse slaughterhouses protection from court injunctions when no other business receives such treatment.
“Doing business with risk is part of the game,” said Sen. Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula.
Zinke said the businesses need special treatment to persuade them to build such plants, which can cost as much as $3 million.
-by CNS correspondent Molly Priddy
First, Montana does not need a slaughterhouse for horses. It is just going to cost more money ($3 million) that we do not need to spend on stupid stuff like a slaughterhouse for horses. We should be putting money like that towards jobs and the asbestos clean up. Second, I am a very big horse lover and all of the people I know love horses and will buy or take a horse that is "unwanted". It is pointless to spend money on something that we definately do not need. If other states do not want to deal with a slaughterhouse then why should Montana? Instead of spending the money on a slaughterhouse why don't we spend it on something more useful like a adoption home for horses?!? Third, I think that Zinke does not know what he is talking about and the only reason he wants a slaughterhouse is because he is an animal killer and he probably get pleasure out of it!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo what he is saying is "Let's create jobs by killing our horses". Why not just state that "Let's create jobs by destroying our National Parks, National Forest, American Rivers and our Oceans by allowing oil drilling, fracking, over-ranching, etc.". Is there no line that will not be crossed by people like Zinke?
ReplyDelete