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Health & Fitness

Congressional Candidate Dennis Anderson Urges Randy Hultgren to Co-Sponsor Bill to Stop Horse Abuse

U.S. Congressional Candidate Dennis Anderson is urging his opponent, Representative Randy Hultgren, to co-sponsor the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act of 2013/H.R. 1518. This widely bi-partisan legislation would crackdown on the abusive practice of “horse soring”. 

Widely used within the Tennessee Walking Horse show world, soring is the intentional infliction of pain to a horse's limbs to produce an exaggerated, artificial gait prized by some shows and judges.  Common soring practices include the use of caustic chemicals on the horses’ legs, sharp objects driven into their hooves, chains, grinding the sole to expose sensitive tissues, and other devices and techniques that make it painful for the horse to step down. 

Although 68 percent of the House is now on board as co-sponsors, H.R 1518 remains bottled up in the Energy and Commerce Committee. In order to get the bill to the floor before the upcoming Congressional  recess, only a few additional Republican co-sponsors are needed to achieve the required ’majority of the majority’.  

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Why isn’t legislation to end the torture of helpless animals something that every member of Congress wholeheartedly supports? We think it’s shameful that Mr. Hultgren has not joined with 114 of his fellow House Republicans -- as well as with all but one other member of the Illinois Congressional delegation, both House and Senate -- to prevent these inhumane practices.

Recent constituent communications from Mr.Hultgren’s office include remarks about the need to protect the “vulnerable among us—people and animals alike” and “whether at home or at a show, how we treat animals reflects the values of our society.”  Clearly, it’s time for Mr. Hultgren to heed his own advice and co-sponsor this bill.” 

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The Prevent All Soring Tactics Act is not new legislation and serves to make existing legislation (the Federal Horse Protection Act of 1970) more effective and efficient. With the stigma of soring gone, horse show spectators and participants who left the show ring to escape association with abuse will return, bolstering the industry and creating more jobs for ethical horse trainers and farriers. The bill also has overwhelming support from veterinary groups and horse organizations in every state.  

For more information on the Dennis Anderson for Congress campaign, go to: www.dennisanderson14.com or visit us at: https://www.facebook.com/dennisanderson.IL14

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