JANUARY 2000 BACK ISSUE
Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 01/06/2000; 2:00:00PM.
News Release: Washington State Horse Council - HORSE INDUSTRY THREATENED
Sharon Call, Secretary: 360-769-8083 * FAX 360-769-8164P.e.T.A.'s mission statement is: Animals are not ours to eat, wear, do research on, for entertainment, not even as pets in our homes. Where do you think the horse industry fits into this message? It appears we are quite near the top seeing that we were included in the Redmond ordinance that prohibited the display of animals for entertainment or amusement.
The Horse Industry is up against the wall and will need to enroll all its partners to help educate John Q. Public on the relationship of man and horse. The public does not understand that 1/100th of 1% is not the normal way horses are handled, fed, ridden, etc. They also need to understand how horses benefit their communities and the potential economic impact such an ordinance may have.
The Animal Rights Groups, A.L.F., P.e.T.A., P.A.W.S. H.S.U.S. may have small memberships, but they are better organized and well financed. The most recent incidents in the destruction of public facilities at W.W.U. in Bellingham and W.S.U. in Puyallup were claimed by these very groups, who caused thousands of dollars in damage and destroyed valuable research. The Animal Liberation Front (A.L.F.) is proud of the fact they have destroyed research centers, the horse slaughter plant in Redmond, OR and freed animals, who often die as a result of their freedom. Is it possible they may have also exposed our communities to disease through the release of lab animals?
A month ago they had a large influence in the development of the Redmond ordinance to ban circus, which also included petting zoos, parades, rodeo, race and any public display where the animal is the subject thereof. If we had not gathered the support of many state horse organizations and sent a barrage of faxes, e-mails and letters, this ordinance would have included horses, llamas, sheep, cows, etc. banned for display. This was a big win for us on such short notice but now we must be prepared for similar ordinances in other communities. We are also hearing rumblings of similar activities planned for the upcoming legislative session.
These groups are presently working with Seattle Mayor Paul Schell to develop a similar ordinance that will be presented in January for adoption. It is important we take this opportunity to educate the Seattle City Council members that: We have a right to choose entertainment that is appropriate for us. We care about the welfare of animals and adopted a law that works. We urge the use of existing laws to protect animals. The Animal Welfare Agencies charged with protecting animals have not declared the circus `cruel.'
This is not a situation happening to the "other guy," but is happening here in our communities. Will your animal activity be the next target of Animal Rights Activists ? It is time to be educated on animal right issues, gather our forces, and overcome this threat. For information on how you can help, call me, Eddie Armstrong at 360-352-5883 or fax 360-352-6149 or the Washington State Horse Council 360-769-8083.
