Federal Legislators Reintroduce PAST Act
A bipartisan group of legislators led by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) have reintroduced legislation that would amend the Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970 and stiffen penalties for those who use soring techniques in Tennessee Walking Horse training and exhibition
In 2013 Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY) introduced HR 1518, known as the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, The proposed legislation would have amended the HPA to forbid trainers from using action devices and performance packages, increased federal penalties for anyone who sored a horse, and required the USDA to assign a licensed inspector if a Tennessee Walking Horse show management indicates its intent to hire one. Shortly thereafter, Ayotte and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced twin legislation, S 1406, into the Senate. Neither bill was signed into law.
On April 28, Ayotte and Warner reintroduced the PAST Act. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Toomey (R-PA), and David Vitter (R-LA) co-sponsored the bill.
The Ayotte-Warner bill would ban the use of pads and action devices and would change horse soring violations from misdemeanor to felony charges. If passed, the legislation would also increase penalties from $3,000 to $5,000 in fines and to up to three years in prison, and would permanently disqualify three-time violators from taking part in horse shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions. Finally, the bill would require the USDA to assign a licensed inspector whenever a Tennessee Walking Horse show management group indicates its intent to hire one
Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.
Start your free account today!
Already have an account?
and continue reading.

Related Articles
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with