Animal Wellness Applauds Massachusetts Delegation for Working to Protect Our Iconic American Horses

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS , US, August 20, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 693, by a vote of 333 to 96. U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern, Richard Neal, Lori Trahan, Joe Kennedy, III, Katherine Clark, Seth Moulton, Ayanna Pressley, Stephen Lynch, and William Keating – the entire House Delegation from Massachusetts – all cosponsors of the bill – voted in support of the measure. Both U.S. Senators Ed Markey, and Elizabeth Warren are also co-sponsors of the Senate companion bill, S. 1007, that mirrors the House passed legislation.

The PAST Act seeks to strengthen the Horse Protection Act and end the torturous, painful practice of soring Tennessee Walking, Racking, and Spotted Saddle Horses. Soring, the intentional infliction of pain to horses' front limbs by applying caustic chemicals such as mustard oil or kerosene or inserting sharp objects into the horses' hooves to create an exaggerated gait known as the "Big Lick,” has plagued the equine world for six decades.

“I strongly support protecting horses from this cruel practice and the PAST Act will put in place additional safeguards for horses, so they can lead safe lives, free from unnecessary abuse and pain,” said U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.

“We applaud the Massachusetts House delegation for voting to pass the PAST Act to end this barbaric and indefensible cruelty, and we thank House Rules Committee Chairman, Jim McGovern for his key role in bringing the measure to a vote.” said Marty Irby, executive director at Animal Wellness Action and past president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association. “The overwhelming House support for the bill is a powerful signal to the U.S. Senate that it should saddle up and end this cruelty to horses once and for all.”

“Timing is ripe, and the majority of Americans want to see Congress work to protect these iconic American horses upon whose backs our country was built upon,” said Animal Wellness Advocate Priscilla Presley. “U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should swiftly schedule a vote on the PAST Act, and execute the will of the American people, and I call on him to do so!”

The bill had been blocked for years by a handful of well-placed lawmakers, but a new House rule now triggers consideration of any measure that attracts 290 or more cosponsors brought the issue to the floor. The PAST Act attracted 308 cosponsors and was led by U.S. Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Ted Yoho (R-FL), co-chairs of the Congressional Veterinary Medicine Caucus, along with Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Ron Estes (R-KS), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Chris Collins (R-NY). The Senate companion bill is led by U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Mark Warner (D-VA) and has garnered 43 cosponsors.

The PAST Act would ban the use of painful large stacked shoes and ankle chains and would also eliminate the existing system of self-regulation by the industry and toughen penalties for violators of the Horse Protection Act. It's supported by Animal Wellness Action, the American Horse Council, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, United States Equestrian Federation, National Sheriff’s Association, and Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association.

See what Members of Congress from across the nation have to say about the PAST Act by clicking here for our landing page.

The Animal Wellness Foundation (Foundation) is a Los Angeles-based private charitable organization with a mission of helping animals by making veterinary care available to everyone with a pet, regardless of economic ability. We organize rescue efforts and medical services for dogs and cats in need and help homeless pets find a loving caregiver. We are advocates for getting veterinarians to the front lines of the animal welfare movement; promoting responsible pet ownership; and vaccinating animals against infectious diseases such as distemper. We also support policies that prevent animal cruelty and that alleviate suffering. We believe helping animals helps us all.

Animal Wellness Action (Action) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) organization with a mission of helping animals by promoting legal standards forbidding cruelty. We champion causes that alleviate the suffering of companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife. We advocate for policies to stop dogfighting and cockfighting and other forms of malicious cruelty and to confront factory farming and other systemic forms of animal exploitation. To prevent cruelty, we promote enacting good public policies and we work to enforce those policies. To enact good laws, we must elect good lawmakers, and that’s why we remind voters which candidates care about our issues and which ones don’t. We believe helping animals helps us all.

Marty Irby
ANIMAL WELLNESS ACTION
+1 202-821-5686
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Twitter

Alleged "pressure shod" sored horse in Alabama