| UPDATE | US HORSE SLAUGHTER INDUSTRY DECLINES FURTHER | In an effort to bring our supporters the most recent developments in the horse slaughter industry for our annual update, Animals' Angels investigators spent the last two months conducting investigations along the southern border and up into Canada.
Although the industry's dire situation has become increasingly obvious over the last few years, our investigators were still stunned when they arrived in Alberta to find the Bouvry Exports main feedlot deserted and the pens empty of horses.
After witnessing thousands of sick, injured, and terrified horses filling the lot in past years, our team was overjoyed to learn that the feedlot had been permanently closed and that the terrible suffering there had finally come to an end.
In this month's newsletter, we recount the demise of the Bouvry Feedlot, and provide our supporters with detailed information on the overall state of the slaughter industry as compiled from a wide range of official sources and in-depth investigations.
Although a dwindling network of kill buyers, horse traders, and transporters remain active in the industry, Animals' Angels is encouraged by the progress made, and we are optimistic that our goal of ending horse slaughter for good is now in reach. | |
 | | NORTH OF THE BORDER: SLAUGHTER INDUSTRY CONTINUES RAPID DECLINE WITH ONLY TWO KILL BUYERS STILL STANDING | In 2023, the number of US horses exported to Canada for slaughter continued its drastic decline. Although we haven't yet received the total numbers for the entire year, as of September 2023, only 1,699 horses had been exported, resulting in a 40% decrease compared to 2022. Most of these horses were shipped to Eastern Canada's last remaining plant, Viande Richelieu, by two industry players:- Bauer Farms, Ohio
- Rotz Livestock, Pennsylvania
However, the biggest development north of the border was discovered during our recent visit to Bouvry Exports' main slaughter feedlot, the Prime Feedlot in Alberta, when Animals' Angels investigators arrived on site to find the feedlot empty, without a single horse in sight. Our team rejoiced when a lonesome worker confirmed that the feedlot had been closed permanently and was no longer being used to hold horses.
When our investigators moved on to visit the pen area and pasture adjacent to the slaughter plant, they were delighted to discover these areas were empty as well.
The only horses spotted during our investigation were a small group inside the pen directly at the plant's loading ramp. Further research confirmed that the plant is now only slaughtering horses once a week and in very limited quantities.
The permanent closure of the Bouvry Exports Prime Feedlot in Alberta is an incredible success for the entire Animals’ Angels team. Our investigators have worked tirelessly for over a decade to expose the horrific abuse and suffering that took place at the facility, which at the time of our first visit, held close to 10,000 horses.
The deserted feedlot and empty pens in Alberta are a testament to animal advocacy and provide further proof that the slaughter industry is hurtling toward its inevitable demise. |
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 | | SOUTHERN BORDER: SLAUGHTER EARNINGS DROP ALONG WITH MEXICAN MEAT EXPORTS | In 2023, US kill buyers earned less money off the horses sold to Mexican slaughter plants than the year before. The total value of US slaughter horses shipped to Mexico dropped by more than 9%, falling from $10 Million USD in 2022 to $9.3 Million USD in 2023.
Subsequently, the export of horse meat from Mexico also decreased, plummeting from a total of 56 shipments valued at $4 Million USD being exported in 2022 down to $1.5 Million USD being exported in 2023 within only 16 shipments (14 to Japan, two to Hong Kong, and one to Russia).
Unfortunately, news from the southern border isn't all positive.
The quantity of US horses sold to Mexican slaughter plants actually increased from 16,362 horses in 2022 to 17,997 horses in 2023, an increase of 1,635 horses.
We can directly attribute this temporary increase in horses sold to slaughter to the extensive roundups of wild horses in Wyoming and their callous disposal to kill buyers Dennis Chavez and Jeff Smith.
And even though their earnings potential continue to fall, a small, predatory group of US kill buyers is still actively shipping horses to Mexico for slaughter. These kill buyers include:- Dennis Chavez, New Mexico – 68 shipments. Total figures not yet available.
- The Dennis Kunz Family, Utah – 8 shipments.
- Ramos Livestock, Texas – 93 shipments. Suppliers include Mike McBarron, Triple Crown Ranch, Rio Grand Classic, Jason Sexton, and Joe Simon.
- Gary Morris, Texas – 24 shipments.
- Stanley Brothers (a.k.a. M & M Livestock), Louisiana – 165 shipments. Suppliers include Cedar Ridge Farms and Jason Fabrizius.
- George Baker Stables, Oklahoma – 30 shipments.
- Bowie Livestock (a.k.a. O’Dwyer Investments), Texas – 81 shipments.
- Trent Ward, Texas – 6 shipments.
- Eh Livestock, Texas – 4 shipments.
- Lomas Livestock – 1 shipment.
Combined, these kill buyers sent 480 shipments through the notorious Presidio export pens, which are located on the desolate outskirts of the border town with little to no governmental oversight.
Animals' Angels investigators have regularly visited the site since 2011 to report on the appalling conditions and cruel treatment suffered by the horses passing through, and to document the dead, injured, and severely emaciated horses witnessed during our investigations.
During our recent visit in January, we spent a full week observing the Presidio pens. While we noted very little activity, our investigators observed and documented a dead horse lying next to a pen of live horses.
The animal had a rope tied around its neck, suggesting it had been violently pulled off the trailer upon arrival, and remained unattended beside the live animals for two days.
The horrific sight acted as a sobering reminder to our investigators that, while the industry is clearly in decline, the suffering, abuse, and death experienced by the unfortunate horses trapped in the pipeline remains the same and must be put to an end.
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| JOIN OUR MISSION TO END HORSE SLAUGHTER FOR GOOD | We hope you're encouraged by this year's annual report, and that you'll share the good news with as many people as possible.
As the slaughter industry continues to crumble, we plan to increase pressure on the remaining kill buyers and holdouts who are determined to wring the last dollar they can get out of the animals caught up in the slaughter industry.
We hope you'll join us in our ongoing efforts to stop horse slaughter for good, and we invite you to make a donation in support of the animals today. | |
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 | | LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO HELP? | | Make a lasting contribution toward protecting animals for generations and learn more about Planned Giving opportunities. | | LEARN MORE |
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