Memphis Standard

WASHINGTON -- Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-9), Dina Titus (NV-01) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today re-introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act that would ban the transportation of horses across state lines in “double decker” trucks or trailers containing two or more levels on top of one another. Congressman Cohen, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, last year applauded the inclusion of the Horse Transportation Safety Act in the House-passed INVEST in America Act. Congressman Cohen has championed the measure since 2008. This year’s version of the bill currently has 65 bipartisan cosponsors.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Horses deserve to be transported in as humane a manner as possible. Double-deck trailers do not provide adequate headroom for adult horses, and accidents involving double-deck trailers are a horrendous reminder that the practice is also dangerous to the driving public. I look forward to seeing this measure move forward as it did last year and be signed into law. As a side note, I am saddened by the single-decker horse trailer fire that occurred Monday near Bardstown, Kentucky, that killed four thoroughbreds. This horrific accident is a striking reminder that transporting horses can be precarious even under normal circumstances, and we should not compound the risks with unsafe double-deck trailers.”

Congressman Fitzpatrick made the following statement:

“The closure of the loophole that allows horses to be inhumanely transported across state lines is long overdue. As co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I am proud to partner with Representative Cohen (D-TN) and Representative Titus (D-NV) in introducing this bipartisan legislation to ensure the safe and decent treatment of horses on our nation's highways.”

Congresswoman Titus made the following statement:

“The harmful transportation of horses in double-deck trailers cannot provide proper headroom and only makes accidents worse. Whether they’re roaming free or traveling across our country’s highways, horses must be treated humanely, and I’m proud to help introduce this commonsense legislation to make certain of that.”

Joanna Grossman, Equine Program Director and Senior Advisor, Animal Welfare Institute, made the following statement:

“The Horse Transportation Safety Act is essential both for public safety and equine welfare.  Cramming horses in double-deck livestock trailers that are designed for much shorter animals harms the horses who cannot stand comfortably inside, and poses a danger to individuals on the road as these trailers are at a greater risk of tipping over.  We commend Congressman Cohen, Congressman Fitzpatrick, and Congresswoman Titus for championing this reform to prohibit this inhumane and reckless practice; it’s long past time for Congress to take action on this commonsense legislation that enjoys broad support.”

Richard Patch, vice president of federal affairs for the ASPCA, made the following statement:

“The ASPCA applauds Representative Cohen's commitment to protecting the equines in this country, and his longstanding leadership on animal welfare issues. We are thrilled to see Congress taking important steps to keep animals safe.”

Neda DeMayo, founder and president of Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation, made the following statement:

“We are proud to support the bipartisan Horse Transportation Safety Act, reintroduced by Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Dina Titus (D-NV). The bill would prohibit interstate transportation of horses in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another, a practice already prohibited for hauling horses to slaughter. While we continue to pursue federal legislation to end the sale and transportation of America's horses for slaughter, we must do all that we can to ensure they are protected from all cruel and unnecessary practices.”

In addition to the 65 cosponsors, the Horse Transportation Safety Act is endorsed by The Humane Society of the United States, The Humane Society Legislative Fund, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), Horses for Life Foundation, Return to Freedom, and Wild Horse Conservation.

Original source can be found here.