Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. More than 100,000 horses are slaughtered a year in America or are shipped alive only to be slaughtered abroad. The Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand was slaughtered in Japan.

Some opposed the bill, claiming that slaughterhouses provide a humane end for sick horses. However, not all the horses slaughtered are sick.

A horse I once owned was killed in such a slaughterhouse and he was certainly not a sick horse, but was sold by a subsequent owner for meat.

Unfortunately, Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted to keep these inhumane slaughterhouses. Thankfully, the majority in Congress did not agree with Westmoreland. I urge our two Georgia senators, Chambliss and Isakson, to support the bill banning the slaughter of horses for human consumption as it makes its way to the Senate.

Katie Spier
Newnan, Ga.