Legislation alert
Senate Bill 262, now under consideration, would impact all horse owners. Click on the name (it's a hot link) and take a look it for yourself.
"As the 2011 Legislative session kicks off, SB 262 creates a new system that requires anyone wanting to become a horse owner in Oregon to submit an application, pay up to $100 and wait for the state to approve ownership. And, if you already own a horse, you will be required to register it with the state and pay the fee anyway. If you want to sell horses, you must register as an "equine trader" by paying another fee up to $100, have a notary stamp the sale document, send monthly reports to the state on your horses' health and the state can enter your property at any time to inspect" — AFP Oregon Newsletter
The bill also mandates that no horse be transported more than 8 hours without a 6 hour break out of the trailer. This may be something you may want to weigh in on....
A new study on unwanted horses reveals the size of the problem
The Journal of Animal Sciences has issued a study on unwanted horses and their outcomes. The researchers investigated the effect of closing equine slaughter facilities in the U.S. in 2007. The tough economy also has contributed to a sharp increase in the number of unwanted horses throughout the United States, with estimates totaling 100,000 horses per year, according to the report.
To read the entire report, click here.
2 comments:
Actually the fee is a $25 one time lifetime fee until 2015 - then it can go up to no more than $100. There is no approval process, no inspections either..They are not going to come on to your property and you can sell horses - If you sell over five in the course of your business then you have to register as a trader. This is a draft that hasn't been fully reviewed - the trailer issue is getting worked on for obvious reasons.. Actually the whole bill is being worked on since it is a draft. Rather than kill the bill on misinformation - recognize it is a draft and help with its writing. We all agree there is a problem.. why not work together on some solutions.?? Be a part of it - please.
Thanks for the clarifications, Anonymous. While I am certainly aware of the problems, since my husband as an equine veterinarian ends up involved in neglect cases, I am not convinced that legislation will "cure" the problem. Certainly closing equine slaughter houses in the U.S. has not "cured" the problem of horse suffering; I would argue that it has only increased the number of cases. It will be interesting to see if this bill goes anywhere.
Michelle
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