Bill To Protect Horses Passes Illinois House

The Humane Society of the United States today praised the Illinois House of Representatives for passing H.B. 4162 introduced by Rep. JoAnne Osmond (R, 61) by a vote of 80-29. H.B. 4162 will amend the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act to prohibit the transport of all horses in double decker trailers, regardless of their final destination.

"The Humane Society of the United States sincerely thanks Representative Osmond and everyone who helped pass this vital piece of legislation," said Keith Dane, director of Equine Protection for The Humane Society of the United States. "Far too often we have seen the devastating, often fatal, effects of horses being forced to travel in double decker trailers. We call on the Senate to pass this bill as overwhelmingly as the House did."

Double decker trailers are designed to transport short-necked species, such as cattle and hogs, not horses. However, these trailers have been the vehicle of choice for so-called "killer buyers" who use them to haul high numbers of horses to feedlots and slaughter plants. Horses who are forced to travel on double decker trailers must stoop in the cramped quarters, making it impossible for them to stand upright and maintain their balance, many times causing severe injuries. Since these trailers are not meant to carry horses, frequently the top deck of the trailer will collapse, resulting in horrific injuries and even death. 

Rep. Osmond stated, "I'm glad that people see the need for a law to ban double decker trailers. They are not safe for horses nor are they safe for first responders when accidents occur. I am happy that the Illinois House has seen fit to pass this legislation."

This past fall, a double decker cattle truck carrying 59 horses overturned  in Wadsworth, Ill. when the driver ran a red light and hit another vehicle. Eight horses died on the scene, and another 10 were euthanized. A similar double decker accident involving 41 horses and a mule in transit to the DeKalb, Ill. slaughter plant killed 16 horses in 2006.

Source: www.hsus.org