Lawmakers in Illinois have voted to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption in their state. Governor Rod Blagojevich could sign the bill into law as soon as Thursday.

One of only three remaining horse slaughterhouses in the country is located in DeKalb, Illinois. Cavel International Inc. is a foreign-owned plant that will have to stop the slaughter of horses once the bill becomes law.

“Passage of this bill is an historical step for improving the welfare of America’s horses,” said SAPL Deputy Director Chris Heyde. “We are grateful for the leadership of Senator John Cullerton, as well as Representative Bob Molaro, Governor Blagojevich and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in finally putting an end to the practice in their state.”

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke stated that horse slaughter “is inhumane because our society considers horses to be companion animals or pets.” He continued, “There is no domestic market for horse meat for human consumption and therefore no need to continue this practice in the state of Illinois.”

Dedicated activist/actress Bo Derek played a crucial role in raising awareness for the bill, traveling to Illinois with SAPL again this year to discuss the issue with state lawmakers. “Horses are an essential part of the American spirit,” she said. “As a lifelong equestrian and horse owner, I am overjoyed that the Illinois legislature has voted to protect these magnificent animals from this inhumane industry.”

In the US Congress, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act has been introduced as H.R. 503 and S. 311 to end horse slaughter for human consumption and prevent the animals’ export for the same purpose. Passage of the federal legislation is critical now to ensure America’s horses aren’t simply exported to an even worse fate outside of the US. More information on the national bill can be found here, http://www.saplonline.org/horses.htm.

As the legislative arm of the Animal Welfare Institute, the Society for Animal Protective Legislation is the unsurpassed leader in obtaining laws to benefit animals in need, including the protection of domestic and wild horses.