Legislation Introduced in Congress to End Horse Soring
Edited Press Release
June 28, 2021
The bill has bipartisan support and is co-sponsored by nearly half the U.S. Senate.
The bill has bipartisan support and is co-sponsored by nearly half the U.S. Senate.
The PAST Act would end the system of industry self-policing in the Tennessee Walking Horse and related breeds’ show organizations.
The USDA said some horse industry organizations failed to find any soring violations when federal inspectors were not present at Tennessee Walking Horse shows and events.
The rule that would prohibit the use of action devices; boots, other than those used for protection; and pads, except for those used for therapeutic reasons, on Tennessee Walking Horses and Racking Horses at shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions.
The Humane Society of the United States claims the USDA is preventing the public from accessing Horse Protection Act violation records on the agency’s website.
Reps. Ted Yoho and Kurt Schrader introduced the legislation that would stiffen penalties for those convicted of soring.
The USDA rule was one of several regulations approved but ultimately frozen after the administration change in January.
Passed before Trump’s administration took office, a clerical error led to the rule being put on hold, pending review.
The senators say the public has the right to know if the Horse Protection Act has been violated and by whom.
Going forward those seeking HPA inspection and enforcement information must submit a Freedom of Information Act request.
Reps. Vern Buchanan and Earl Blumenauer will head the group intended to educate legislators on animal welfare issues.
The rule is among a litany of new regulations pending review by the new administration and its department secretaries.
The legal team for FAST is preparing a response to the new rule which bans the use of action devices and pads or stacks.
A new rule prohibits the use of action devices, pads, and wedges, except for those used for therapeutic purposes.
The grant could help fund a study aimed at developing objective ways to detect soring in Tennessee Walking Horses.
Representative Ted Yoho (R-FL) is the primary sponsor of the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act in the current Congress.
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