Don't eat Thunder ...Feed him to your pit bull!

[Donk]

By TARA BURGHART, Associated Press Writer Wed Jun 13, 6:53 PM ET

DEKALB, Ill. - This agricultural town is nicknamed Barb City because the spiky wire was perfected here. But the mayor receives postcards from animal activists saying it should be called the city of barbarians.
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DeKalb is home to the last remaining plant in the United States where horses are slaughtered for human consumption. Except for a portion sold to U.S. zoos, the horse meat is shipped to be eaten by diners overseas.

The state banned such slaughters last month, and a federal judge could rule as soon as Thursday whether Cavel International Inc. can stay open while it appeals. A temporary order allowing it to operate expires after Thursday.

"It's a black mark on the community. It's a stigma," said slaughterhouse opponent Gail Vacca, who moved her horse training business away from DeKalb because she said owners were worried their animals would be kidnapped and sold to the plant. "DeKalb is a lovely community. It's horrible they've been stigmatized by this nasty industry."

Cavel lawyers say the Illinois law violates the interstate and foreign commerce clauses of the U.S. Constitution because it also bans importing or exporting horsemeat for human consumption.

Two other U.S. plants, both in Texas, closed earlier this year. A federal appeals court upheld a Texas law banning horse slaughter for the sale of meat for food, and the
U.S. Supreme Court refused to take up the case.

The Cavel plant has operated in DeKalb for about 20 years and slaughters about 1,000 horses a week, general manager James Tucker said.

Just off of Interstate 88 near a UPS packaging center and U-Haul pickup site, the white building with blue trim doesn't stand out, except for black sheeting draped on a fence to shield from view the horses as they are delivered to the plant.

Mayor Frank Van Buer said as long as Cavel follows local zoning rules, the city has no say in plant operations, which fall under federal and state regulations. But as a former university economist who has lived in Asia and Africa, he said he understands that other cultures eat foods unfamiliar or even unappetizing to Americans.

"I'm not very supportive of this move to try to regulate the sale of any kind of meat. Some people are vegetarians, and some people like different type of meat," Van Buer said.

But he said he has been deluged with thousands of postcards, e-mails and letters from people saying that slaughtering horses is inhumane and they want the plant closed.

Julie Kiefer-Bell, who lives about a mile from Cavel, volunteered her time to get the state ban and has worked with advocates to promote a pending federal ban.

For a time, she became so emotional whenever she passed the slaughterhouse that she drove to a UPS store in a neighboring town rather than the one next to the plant. An artist who used to teach at Northern University Illinois in town, Kiefer-Bell said she grew to love horses as a child on her family's North Dakota farm.

She sees a difference between horses and the cows, cattle and chickens raised specifically as livestock. Good homes could be found for many of the animals bought at auction by Cavel, she said.

"These are magnificent animals that love and trust," she said.

Meanwhile, groups that have lobbied for bans on horse slaughterhouses, such as The Humane Society of the United States, say the nation has no tradition of killing horses for meat, and shouldn't be doing so to satisfy foreign consumers.

They argue that horses' skittish nature makes the way they are stunned and killed inhumane. They also object to what they described as overly crowded trucks used to transport them to Cavel.

When the Texas plants were still open, about 88,000 horses were slaughtered in 2006, said Steve Cohen, a spokesman for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. There are about 33 million cows and 100 million pigs slaughtered every year in the United States, he said.

Cavel employs about 55 workers in DeKalb, has a $2 million annual payroll, and generates about $30 million in foreign trade revenue, Tucker said.

Those who believe horse slaughterhouses should be legal say they pay $300 to $500 for horses that are older, neglected, retired or otherwise marginalized. Without the slaughterhouse, they say, there would be more cases of neglected or abandoned horses because some owners won't pay the cost to have them euthanized.

The average cost of euthanasia and disposal is $225, according to the Society for Animal Protective Legislation, which opposes the slaughterhouse.

Tucker said he understands that some people have a very emotional bond with horses, but believes a vocal minority is pushing for a ban. He said the company follows federal regulations for moving and killing the animals.

"We're a great agricultural country. Here we have a resource we can turn into food to feed people," he said. "It's a valid recycling of that resource."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070613/ap_on_re_us/horse_slaughter;_ylt=Aggw4VwN_MxUHMkTlNi_dl3MWM0F

[El Guapo]

2nd worst post ever... the first being the identical one you posted about 10 minutes ago.

[Donk]

I would explain it to you but I gotta feed my dogs.

“Hey puppies want some Alpo?”

[El Guapo]

This place is about 30 minutes from me. Its an old story. Thanks though!

[Dr.5280]

Stupid is contageous. If you are stupid.

[Tredici]

It's a little gratuitous to throw in the number of cows and pigs slaughtered. Like it or not those animals are raised specifically to be part of the food chain.
Horses are not. Slaughtering horses to sell the meat overseas raises one of the worst type of Capitolism stinks.

[Popps]

"I'm not very supportive of this move to try to regulate the sale of any kind of meat. Some people are vegetarians, and some people like different type of meat," Van Buer said.

Pretty much covers it.

I'm nearly 20 years vegetarian, and people eating horses offends me no more than people eating pigs. So, one is farmed? Great. Farm the other if people want to eat it.

If people want to eat animals... have at it. But, let's not pick and choose, here.

[Tredici]

The point is these horses aren't being farmed for consumption. Thats why it's a little disingenous to compare their slaughter numbers to pigs and cows.

People will eat whatever they eat. But right now horsemeat is at zero demand for the carniverous population in this country.

[Popps]

Fair enough. It just sounds like the people opposing this are opposed to it in principle, which I can buy into, but not selectively.

[chickennob2]

I have no problem with slaughtering horses. Let's see, we can have the horses euthanized and disposed of, or we can turn their bodies into nourishment for human beings around the world. How is throwing away a body or using parts of the animal for different things after euthenasia better than killing the animal in order to feed human beings?

[Los Broncos]

Killing horses like that seems pretty sick to me. What human would eat that anyways.

[Popps]

Killing horses like that seems pretty sick to me. What human would eat that anyways.

I guess one that was raised thinking it was O.K... like eating pig, cow, dog.. take your pick.

[cutthemdown]

Pretty much covers it.

I'm nearly 20 years vegetarian, and people eating horses offends me no more than people eating pigs. So, one is farmed? Great. Farm the other if people want to eat it.

If people want to eat animals... have at it. But, let's not pick and choose, here.

What a b.s statement. So your saying you would be equally offended if you went to a bbq and one group was bbqing some chicken, and the other group was pit roasting a whole dog with an apple in fidos mouth? Give me a break.

[Popps]

What a b.s statement. So your saying you would be equally offended if you went to a bbq and one group was bbqing some chicken, and the other group was pit roasting a whole dog with an apple in fidos mouth? Give me a break.

Absolutely.

Why is "BBQing some chicken" ethically O.K. and roasting up a little beagle not O.K.? Because one's your pet? You realize other cultures have great reverence for animals like cows and pigs, right? So, they think you're inhumane, sick and twisted.

Who's right?

So, you just love a good old BBQ chicken, huh? You know they're generally considered filthy animals and eat their own feces, right? You're down with that? I'll bet some horse eaters might find that pretty gross.

Let me make this easy for you. Your culture (for the most part) has told you that it's fine to eat chicken. Hey, it tastes good... why not, right? Of course, horse and dog may taste good, too. How would you know?

You're just doing what your culture tells you to do. We eat chickens, we keep dogs as pets. You're just doing what you're told... just like people in other cultures who wouldn't dream of eating pig or yardbird.

On the flipside, some of us find the same distaste in eating a dog, as a horse as a pig. Some of us don't selectively single out animals that are "OK" to eat. Get it?

I mean, you eat chicken... you're a carnivore. You eat animals. Horses, whatever. You can't be kind of a carnivore any more than you can be kind of gay.

[cutthemdown]

Absolutely.

Why is "BBQing some chicken" ethically O.K. and roasting up a little beagle not O.K.? Because one's your pet? You realize other cultures have great reverence for animals like cows and pigs, right? So, they think you're inhumane, sick and twisted.

Who's right?

So, you just love a good old BBQ chicken, huh? You know they're generally considered filthy animals and eat their own feces, right? You're down with that? I'll bet some horse eaters might find that pretty gross.

Let me make this easy for you. Your culture (for the most part) has told you that it's fine to eat chicken. Hey, it tastes good... why not, right? Of course, horse and dog may taste good, too. How would you know?

You're just doing what your culture tells you to do. We eat chickens, we keep dogs as pets. You're just doing what you're told... just like people in other cultures who wouldn't dream of eating pig or yardbird.

On the flipside, some of us find the same distaste in eating a dog, as a horse as a pig. Some of us don't selectively single out animals that are "OK" to eat. Get it?

I mean, you eat chicken... you're a carnivore. You eat animals. Horses, whatever. You can't be kind of a carnivore any more than you can be kind of gay.

Once again total BS from a totally wacked out point of view. For one I have no problem with what other countries want to eat. Other countries have arranged marriages also but I don't want that in my country. In America we have traditions that say we don't eat dogs, cats, horses, rats, etc except in life and death situations. It's obvious the vast majority of Americans want it this way. In this country majority rules and we will shut down all the horse slaughterhouses that are providing the food for human consumption. If other countries want to eat horse we certainly won't be sending the Marines to stop them but we will stop the horses coming from the USA it seems. Everyone knows that other countries eat some strange food when compared to our experiences in America. I wasn't offended when I visited Asia because it's their culture and I was there not to judge but to experience. If I went to India I wouldn't go shoot a cow and say let's make some burgers I also wouldn't go around telling them how stupid they are or how tasty their ancestor might be broiled. But here in my country I want to see cows, chickens and pigs on the menu, but not Fido, Felix, or Trigger.

[rugbythug]

Majority does not rule. We are a country of laws with minorities being protected.

[Kaylore]

I don't care what meat people eat as long as it isn't human or endangered.

[Donk]

Once again total BS from a totally wacked out point of view. In America we have traditions that say we don't eat dogs, cats, horses, rats, etc except in life and death situations.

Native Americans ate dogs.

[v2micca]

I know this is just asking to be flamed. But, what the hell. When I was living in Italy I tried a horse steak once. It's considered a delicacy. It thought it was pretty good. A bit chewier than beef and the flavor was more subtle.

I'm kind of mixed on the issue. On one hand I think it is stupid to get worked up over eating horse. On the other hand, I just really don't give a flying f*** what laws Illinois passes as I had long since resolved to stay away from that state. Call it a crisis of apathies.

[Popps]

But here in my country I want to see cows, chickens and pigs on the menu, but not Fido, Felix, or Trigger.

It's not "your" country. You're a fly on the ass of America, and lucky to live here.

As for what you'd like to see on the menu, other people see it differently. There are apparently no laws prohibiting eating horses, so people should be free to roast them at will.

Like I said, I don't eat any of it... but if you're going to tell me someone can eat pig, don't tell me they can't eat horse or dog. Your convoluted logic as to why you want to kill one animal and not another is just silly, culture-induced robot thinking. You have fun with that... but don't try to sell it as any kind of logic, because it absolutely isn't.

[Popps]

I don't care what meat people eat as long as it isn't human or endangered.

Bingo. Logical, rational, sensible.

We either allow meat consumption, or we don't. We don't butcher up one animal in droves, and then get all weepy over another.

In or out.

[Popps]

Majority does not rule. We are a country of laws with minorities being protected.

Bingo, again.

Logic.

[cutthemdown]

Native Americans ate dogs.

And how did things work out for the Indians again?

[cutthemdown]

You guys can argue all you want. The fact remains that the vast majority of Americans agree no reason to eat horses, dogs, cats. I could care less really because I know that all these horse slaughterhouses are closing. Communitites don't want them. It's a perfect example of local cities taking care of what the feds don't care about. I like it and think it's a good thing.

[Los Broncos]

I guess one that was raised thinking it was O.K... like eating pig, cow, dog.. take your pick.

i didn't think of that i guess.

[Los Broncos]

Native Americans ate dogs.

Only because they had to i guess. But do humans really eat horse on a regular basis.

[cutthemdown]

It's not "your" country. You're a fly on the ass of America, and lucky to live here.

As for what you'd like to see on the menu, other people see it differently. There are apparently no laws prohibiting eating horses, so people should be free to roast them at will.

Like I said, I don't eat any of it... but if you're going to tell me someone can eat pig, don't tell me they can't eat horse or dog. Your convoluted logic as to why you want to kill one animal and not another is just silly, culture-induced robot thinking. You have fun with that... but don't try to sell it as any kind of logic, because it absolutely isn't.

We don't need a law prohibiting it because local communities are taking care of it themselves. You do agree local communities have a right to not want a horse slaughterhouses in their town right? Local communities can ban them just like they do strip clubs etc. The facts are a vast majority of Americans thinks it wrong. The small minority that feels its Ok is the fly on the ass that doesn't matter in this case.

[bendog]

Realizing others differ, but there is a notion that some animals have a special bond with humans - horses, dogs and cats. We form a sort of symbiotic bond with these animals who help us survive, and in the case of certainly a dog, and even some horses, would die to protect us, and who cannot survive without us.

[Popps]

Realizing others differ, but there is a notion that some animals have a special bond with humans - horses, dogs and cats. We form a sort of symbiotic bond with these animals who help us survive, and in the case of certainly a dog, and even some horses, would die to protect us, and who cannot survive without us.

We have a cat and trust me, that thing wouldn't die to protect anyone but herself. :) My dog, on the other hand... would definitely go to war for us.

I agree with your bond concept completely (obviously) .... though as far as consumption, it's still got to be an all or nothing proposition, in my opinion. (Minus endangered.) Keep in mind, a lot of Americans hate dogs and cats. HATE them... think they're filthy, etc. It's a little tough to tell them they can't fry up some hound while we sell cow burgers on every corner.

[bendog]

We have a cat and trust me, that thing wouldn't die to protect anyone but herself. :) My dog, on the other hand... would definitely go to war for us.

I agree with your bond concept completely (obviously) .... though as far as consumption, it's still got to be an all or nothing proposition, in my opinion. (Minus endangered.) Keep in mind, a lot of Americans hate dogs and cats. HATE them... think they're filthy, etc. It's a little tough to tell them they can't fry up some hound while we sell cow burgers on every corner.

Cats are tough. Theoretically, they kill rats, which carry fleas, which carry plague. Of course, cats carry fleas as well.

I realize that not all humans fell a bond with dogs and even less with horses. As society becomes less agrarian, we lose the notion of the catastophe for a family when the plow horse (or ox or mule) died.

[Los Broncos]

I admire cats independence.

[youcandoit1687]

I don't care what meat people eat as long as it isn't human or endangered.

That and as long as it is killed humanely, quick and painless. If the slaughterhouse is taking some little girl's pony, obviously that's F ed up but if the animal is unwanted and not fit for the wild, it should be euthanized anyway.

That said, I would imagine that horse meat would be very tough, even moreso than venison. Not my cup of tea but who am I to stop people from making money ethically.

[Popps]

The small minority that feels its Ok is the fly on the ass that doesn't matter in this case.

Wrong.

Someone already tried to explain it to you. Being part of a larger group doesn't make you "right" on all issues in this country... or being, gay or Jewish would be illegal. You can quit throwing that out there because it's been killed several times, now.

The small minority (in this case) is free to eat horse because disallowing them to do so is not only blatantly illogical, it's discriminatory.

[Rigs11]

Eating any animal is wrong.If people only knew the suffering that animals endure before you get that steak or porkchop. And the notion that because they are bred for eating it making it any better is silly.

[Los Broncos]

Eating any animal is wrong.If people only knew the suffering that animals endure before you get that steak or porkchop. And the notion that because they are bred for eating it making it any better is silly.

What is vital isn't always humane.

[Rigs11]

What is vital isn't always humane.

Who says it's vital?That's a personal choice. By the way vegetarians far outlive meat eaters so meat being vital goes right out the window.

[Los Broncos]

Who says it's vital?That's a personal choice. By the way vegetarians far outlive meat eaters so meat being vital goes right out the window.

Meat is vital to me.

[Rigs11]

Meat is vital to me.

choice, not vital. You wouldn't die if you didn't have it.

[Los Broncos]

choice, not vital. You wouldn't die if you didn't have it.

Agreed

[bendog]

Eating any animal is wrong.If people only knew the suffering that animals endure before you get that steak or porkchop. And the notion that because they are bred for eating it making it any better is silly.

I tend to agree, though I'm weak and eat meat. While it seems to me that the majority does have a right to say "look, people can't eat horses because that's being inhumane to horses." The majority does set standards for what is humane. But, the sad fact is, that in many cases cattle and esp chickens are raised and killed in horrific ways. So, logically I don't think there should be restrictions on eating horses ... or dogs.

But, imo, people who do so give up even more of their humanity than I give up buying boneless breasts,

and I'm making chicken rice and cream of chicken casserole's tomorrow. Sushi tonite.

[Rigs11]

I tend to agree, though I'm weak and eat meat. While it seems to me that the majority does have a right to say "look, people can't eat horses because that's being inhumane to horses." The majority does set standards for what is humane. But, the sad fact is, that in many cases cattle and esp chickens are raised and killed in horrific ways. So, logically I don't think there should be restrictions on eating horses ... or dogs.

But, imo, people who do so give up even more of their humanity than I give up buying boneless breasts,

and I'm making chicken rice and cream of chicken casserole's tomorrow. Sushi tonite.

The problem is factory farming. Back in the day and to a small extent today, small farms would raise animals for consumption and they would get to live their lives outside, with the sun on their back. With factory farming many pigs never see the light of day except when they are sent to slaughter, at which point they are crammed into trucks. they spend their entire lives in cages where they can't turn around or lay down.Slaughterhouses are poorly regulated and there is such a demand for quick output that many cows end up being cut up while still conscious and many pigs are put into the scalding tank while still concious.

[alkemical]

And how did things work out for the Indians again?

Whitey

[Popps]

And how did things work out for the Indians again?

Dude, if you can't engage in actual discourse... why pretend to?

Why not just stick to calling people poo-poo face, and leave the substantive analysis to those with the capacity?

[bendog]

Dude, if you can't engage in actual discourse... why pretend to?

Why not just stick to calling people poo-poo face, and leave the substantive analysis to those with the capacity?

OMG!!! THERE'S A PITBULL EATING YOUR CHILD!!!

[Tredici]

Eating any animal is wrong.If people only knew the suffering that animals endure before you get that steak or porkchop. And the notion that because they are bred for eating it making it any better is silly.

I agree that it is silly. I think it is even sillier for a journalist to compare number of animals specifically farmed for consumption to those simply collected by a niche market.

Neither is morally acceptable to many people. But to make it look like only a few horses are being slaughtered in comparison to pigs and cattle doesn't make it any less unacceptable, and isn't close to being any type of reasonable comparison so I don't know why it was even brought up.

Cavemen had meat on their dinner tables. I think you'll have a hard time proving vegetarians live longer simply because of their eating habits. Humans are one of the few creatures with the capability of adjusting their eating habits. Which makes us more fortunate than most of the food chain.

[Popps]

OMG!!! THERE'S A PITBULL EATING YOUR CHILD!!!

I Don't get the joke. Maybe the wrong thread or something? Relevance is unclear.

[Popps]

Humans are one of the few creatures with the capability of adjusting their eating habits. Which makes us more fortunate than most of the food chain.

Precisely, which further illuminates the lunacy of the "you must eat meat" argument.

But, for accuracy's sake... there ARE those who claim it leads to a longer life. Many, many studies have shown such. That said, you can find just as many studies that show the opposite. That's why I believe it's general diet, just just meat or no meat that dictates this.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/21/1064082865083.html?from=storyrhs
The notion that vegetarian diets lead to a healthier and longer life has been further supported from research based on World War II experiences of people in Scandinavia, where dietary restrictions virtually wiped meat off the menu. The loss of meat led to a drop in the mortality rate, and when diets returned to normal after the war, so too did the death rate.

Just do a google search for "vegetarian diet study"... and you get some pretty interesting things, many from likely unbiased parties. Weight-loss, reversing heart disease, treating diabetes, avoiding numerous cancers...etc.

Again, I think either diet can be totally healthy. We feed our daughter organic chicken. When she's old enough, she can make a choice. But, the evidence has been piling up in favor of the diet for some time now.

[Paladin]

I admire cats independence.

They are not indeppendent. They're fricking stupid.

Likable, fluffy, petable, playful (with a all of string), cute, etc., but stupid.

[Popps]

They are not indeppendent. They're fricking stupid.

Likable, fluffy, petable, playful (with a all of string), cute, etc., but stupid.

ROFL!

I'd call it more aloof and stubborn than stupid. I believe a cat would literally starve himself to death rather than eat a brand of food he didn't like.

[cutthemdown]

Dude, if you can't engage in actual discourse... why pretend to?

Why not just stick to calling people poo-poo face, and leave the substantive analysis to those with the capacity?

This coming from the person who told me I was a fly on the ass of America and lucky to be living here? I'd say you are the one not debating, but instead throwing insults.

[Los Broncos]

They are not indeppendent. They're fricking stupid.

Likable, fluffy, petable, playful (with a all of string), cute, etc., but stupid.

Thats you're opinion.

[Popps]

This coming from the person who told me I was a fly on the ass of America and lucky to be living here? I'd say you are the one not debating, but instead throwing insults.

Fair enough. Point taken.

But, my fly on the ass comment had a point, however poorly put... in that it's not "your" country, it's everyone's country.

Your Native American jab seemed to lack basis in logic. Things didn't work out for Native Americans because they were invaded... not because of their diet choices.

[RkyMtnThunder]

Humans have been eating hooved animals for hundreds of thousands of years.

We Americans eat cows, deer, elk, buffalo, sheep, goats, antelope. But the idea of eating horses is unacceptable - seems kind of like an oxymoron to me.

Not saying I am going out of my way to find some horse meat for dinner tonight.

And that wouldnt be because I think its 'wrong' but because I always identified horse meat as cheap (aka dog food)

[Popps]

Thats you're opinion.

It's actually scientific fact. Here's proof...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOfCCtG6fDg

[Los Broncos]

It's actually scientific fact. Here's proof...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOfCCtG6fDg

One cat is stupid so all are?

[cutthemdown]

Fair enough. Point taken.

But, my fly on the ass comment had a point, however poorly put... in that it's not "your" country, it's everyone's country.

Your Native American jab seemed to lack basis in logic. Things didn't work out for Native Americans because they were invaded... not because of their diet choices.

It wasn't really anything more then a joke. A person had said the Indians ate dogs. I saw that comment as being sort of stupid so I made a sarcastic comment. My point is that it's ok for Americans to have some traditions and keep them even if it seems hypocritical. I made a point of saying i don't fault any other cultures for doing what they do. I think it's ok though for America to say we don't eat dogs, cats, horses here in the USA. It's also a good thing these slaughterhouses are being closed. We may not be able to help the cows, chickens, pigs but does that mean we shouldn't help the horses if we can? I think the answer to that question is NO. We can and should say no horse slaughter in the USA. Let's keep the horses for pets and for work and not for food. I think horses deserve that. And no I'm not saying cows and pigs and chickens deserve what they get, only that they are tasty broiled and barbqued.

[Donk]

Isn't it legal to slaughter horses for dog food?

Do you think the horse would rather be eaten by a dog?

[Donk]

November 24, 2004
Horsing Around in Congress
by Trent England and Paul Rosenzweig
I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse." The next time you're tempted to say this, have a care. If some in Congress get their way, it could bring the FBI a-knocking on your door.

For some reason, in the midst of the war on terrorism and debates about the economy and Social Security, Congress is trying to criminalize horsemeat. It wants federal law enforcement -- the folks we rely on to investigate kidnappings and prevent terrorist attacks -- to stop people from buying and selling meat that comes from horses.

Low carb dieters should be particularly upset. Horsemeat has far fewer calories than beef, and it's low in fat and high in protein. If that isn't made for South Beach, what is? According to the USDA, horsemeat has "a flavor somewhat between that of beef and venison." Why would Congress want to deprive Americans of such gallopin' good steaks? Apparently, a small-but-vocal posse of horse lovers and animal rights types has been riding Congress for years to stop "the horse holocaust."

In Congress, 226 representatives and 10 senators have cosponsored the "American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act." Even the "Puppy Protection Act" only has 52 cosponsors. And no, we're not making this up.

Ironically, the "American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act" is not about preventing the slaughter of horses. It does nothing to stop horses from being killed for dog food or glue or as a good Godfather-style warning. The Act would only outlaw the killing of, or commerce in, horses for "human consumption." A better name for the bill might be the "More Horses for Glue Act."

The bill is really morals legislation. For Hindus, cows are sacred and not to be eaten. But do the Hindus run around trying to criminalize beef? No, at least not in America. But certain pious horse lovers will not be satisfied until the federal government criminalizes all those who don't share their values.

The legislation also tastes a lot like cultural imperialism. While the number of Americans chowing down on horse steaks is near zero, equine entrées are actually quite popular other countries, especially Italy, France, and the Netherlands. Their acceptance of culinary diversity was particularly important during the mad cow scare, when horsemeat replaced beef for some Europeans.

Historically, outside of Jewish and Muslim areas, horsemeat was common fare and was used in certain pagan religious ceremonies. Some Native Americans ate horsemeat, as shown by Lewis and Clark's record of a gift from northwestern tribes of "20 pounds of very fat dried horsemeat." The fact that today most Americans wouldn't voluntarily pick "Horse Ribs" off a menu is a bad reason to make such a choice illegal.

After all, aren't there a lot of meats that Americans shouldn't be allowed to eat? When is Congress going to make it a crime to cook a cat casserole, fondue a ferret, or wok your dog?

Let's be serious. Passing special interest legislation to sanctify the remains of Mr. Ed would set a terrible precedent. Once they start down the road of food criminalization, the only meat we can be certain Congress will protect is pork.

Some supporters of the horse bill argue that horsemeat is unsafe or that the process of converting stallion to steak is particularly inhumane. Even if true, these are not arguments for criminalization. John Baker, a law professor at Louisiana State University, recently sounded the alarm over an explosion of federal criminal laws. Congress's own research service has admitted that they don't even know how many federal crimes exist, but, according to Baker, the number is around 4,000. Most of these laws have been created in the last few decades, and many originated with this same kind of special interest lobbying and congressional grandstanding.

The most troubling thing about many of these new crimes is that they buck the traditional requirement that government prosecutors prove criminal intent (traditionally called mens rea) before they can send you to the federal pen. The Horse Act is a particularly lame example of this trend, potentially criminalizing even those who sell horses without knowing that the buyer intends to kill them for human food or buy meat without realizing that it is horse. Such sloppy legislative drafting can make well-meaning people into outlaws. This alone ought to convince people to say, "Neigh."

Whether you view horses as just really fast cows or as some kind of majestic land dolphin, a new federal crime is the last thing we need. Illinois made it legal over the summer to name pets as beneficiaries in your will, but even it said no to criminalizing horse cuisine. State Rep. Charles Morrow challenged: "If you can eat Bo Peep, Bugs Bunny, and Bambi, why can't you eat Mr. Ed?" Indeed, Americans everywhere should bridle at this attempt to restrict culinary freedom and say "whoa" to turning cultural taboos into criminal laws.

Paul Rosenzweig is senior legal research fellow in the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Heritage Foundation and adjunct professor of law at George Mason University. Trent England is a legal policy analyst in the Center.

http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed112404b.cfm