Gloria Successfully Strengthens California Horse Protection Laws, Saves Horses from Slaughter
Assembly Member Todd Gloria Press Release
October 12, 2019
Governor Newsom Signs Gloria Bill Enacting Stronger Protections for California Horses
SACRAMENTO, CA – The State of California officially strengthened its horse protection regulations today, as California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 128 (AB 128) – legislation authored by California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) that enhances protections for California’s horses and helps protect them from slaughter. Beginning January 1, 2020, public and private auction yard operators will be required to post new signage, maintain sworn statements, and post identifying information online.
“This is key legislation to make sure California’s horse population is not illegally sent to slaughter by the Trump Administration or anyone else,” said Assemblymember Todd Gloria. “Californians have long made clear that we oppose the slaughter of horses. With this bill, we close a loophole that could lead horses to harm. I want to thank Governor Newsom for supporting these stronger animal protections.”
Last year, approximately 80,000 American horses (domestic and wild) were trucked to Canada and Mexico for slaughter for human consumption. Less than a year ago, the U.S. Forest Service rounded up 932 wild and domestic horses in the Modoc National Forest. This year, in response, Assemblymember Gloria has authored Assembly Bill 128 to strengthen California’s protections of its wild and domestic horse population.
AB 128, sponsored by the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), protects wild and domestic horses from slaughter by requiring new signage, disclosures, and sworn statements at all private and public auctions where horses are sold in California. In addition, auction operators will be required to examine horses for identifying information and post this information on the auction’s website and social media accounts. This includes brands, tattoos, and scanning the horses for microchips.
“We're so grateful to Assemblymember Gloria for standing up for California horses by introducing AB 128,” said Suzanne Roy with the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign). “Thank you to Governor Newsom for signing this important bill, which furthers the overwhelming will of California citizens to protect our state's horses, both domestic and wild, from the cruel fate of slaughter.”
In October, Assemblymember Gloria and 22 of his colleagues joined U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein to oppose the U.S. Forest Service’s sale of wild horses rounded up in Modoc National Forest “without limitation” which is tantamount to selling them to slaughter.
AB 128 was supported by a broad coalition of horse rescue, animal protection, and wild horse preservation organizations.
Originally posted by Assemblymember Gloria