Horse-slaughter bill clears first Senate hurdle

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