End The Inhumane Horse Meat Market Devastating Families Across Florida
211 signatures toward our 30,000 Goal
Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site
Every stolen horse represents a shattered family and needless cruelty—join the fight to end Florida’s illegal horse meat trade and ensure these innocent animals live free from terror and suffering.
The illegal horse meat market in Florida is devastating families, endangering public health, and causing immense suffering to animals. Horses are stolen from their owners, slaughtered in unregulated facilities, and sold on the black market. This horrific trade demands urgent action to protect both animals and communities.
The Hidden Crisis
In Florida, the theft of horses has reached alarming levels. In St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties, families have woken up to find their beloved horses gone. Surveillance footage shows trailers entering properties under the cover of night, only to leave with these stolen animals1. Horses like Paloma, who provided therapy to children with disabilities, are not spared2.
These stolen horses are often sent to illegal slaughterhouses where they endure unspeakable cruelty. Undercover investigations reveal that horses are stabbed, boiled alive, or killed with blunt force3. Their meat, sold for as much as $40 per pound, is falsely marketed as a delicacy with supposed healing properties4.
The Public Health Risk
The illegal sale of horse meat poses serious risks to public health. Horses are often treated with medications like high-dose ivermectin, which can make their meat dangerous for human consumption2. Unregulated slaughterhouses lack the oversight needed to ensure food safety, leaving consumers vulnerable to contamination and illness.
Why Action Is Needed
Despite existing laws prohibiting the sale and possession of horse meat, enforcement is limited. Advocacy organizations like Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) have worked tirelessly to expose this trade, shutting down hundreds of illegal operations3. However, the scale of the problem requires more resources and stronger penalties to deter perpetrators.
State and federal action are essential to dismantling these networks. The SAFE Act, a proposed federal law, would ban horse slaughter nationwide. Florida’s leaders must also strengthen state enforcement and educate the public to prevent further suffering.
Take Action Now
The illegal horse meat trade thrives in the shadows, but together, we can bring it to light and put an end to the cruelty. Horses deserve to live free from fear and suffering, and families deserve to know their beloved companions are safe. Public health, animal welfare, and basic humanity demand that we act now.
Sign the petition to call on the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Florida’s governor, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to prioritize enforcement, increase penalties, and protect our communities and animals. Your voice can help stop this cruel and illegal trade.
- Matthew McClellan, FOX 13 News (18 November 2024), "Horse thefts across 2 counties could be connected."
- Richard Luscombe, The Guardian (17 February 2024), "Police search for horse rustlers in Florida who slaughtered three animals."
- Genevieve Curtis, FOX 13 News (23 July 2024), "Florida’s illegal horse meat trade: Undercover video shows racehorse butchered on camera."
- Nick Viviani, Katie Bente, CBS 12 (19 April 2024), "Horse meat found in West Palm Beach home: PBSO."
The Petition:
To the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Governor of Florida, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS),
We, the undersigned, call upon your leadership and influence to address the illegal horse meat market in Florida, a cruel and exploitative industry that undermines both animal welfare and public health. The theft, slaughter, and sale of horses for human consumption is not only a violation of state and federal laws but a direct affront to the compassion and humanity that define us as a society.
Horses are stolen from loving families, including therapy animals and companions, only to face brutal and inhumane slaughter. Their meat, unregulated and potentially harmful, is sold in underground markets, further endangering public health. This trade is not just an issue of legality but one of morality and ethics. The suffering inflicted on these animals and their owners demands immediate and decisive action.
We urge the USDA, Governor of Florida, and FDACS to:
- Increase resources for enforcement and investigation to dismantle illegal slaughterhouses and trafficking networks.
- Strengthen penalties for those involved in the theft, slaughter, and sale of horses.
- Launch public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the dangers and cruelty of the horse meat market.
- Support federal legislation, such as the SAFE Act, to permanently ban horse slaughter across the United States.
By committing to these actions, you will help protect vulnerable animals, uphold public health, and restore trust in the systems designed to safeguard our communities. Together, we can create a better, more compassionate future for all living beings.
We respectfully urge you to act now.
Sincerely,
