And rightly so. Horses are companion animals with a long history of service to Americans. Would there be a United States were it not for this long history of service?

That is a lie. It is not only not necessary, but inhumane and unethical.

If this is Rep. Sacia's most extreme example of an insult he has received, we suggest he take a look at the expletive-infused, hate-filled letters that SHARK has received from the people Mr. Sacia supports.

While it is always unfortunate when people let their emotions run wild, people who actually care about horses take a lot of exception to someone who makes such false, insensitive and irresponsible statements.

Nastiness aside? It is almost humorous to watch Mr. Sacia insinuate that he is somehow a victim, when he is supporting the cruel victimization of horses. Horse slaughter is in no way humane. Untold numbers of dogs and cats are euthanized annually, and their horrors are in no way minimized, but these companions are not forced down a slaughterhouse's kill line, with sounds of terror and death all around them, watching their companions being killed and dismembered in front of them while they wait their turn to have a bolt slammed into their skulls. See undercover video of a horse slaughterhouse here.

15,000 horses in the U.S. reaching the end of their lives is a very small number compared to the millions numbers of cats and dogs who die annually, and we don't force the latter down a horrific killing assembly line.

I wouldn't label Mr. Sacia a "horse hater." He obviously loves them, or loves what they do for his ego, right up to the moment he has them trucked off to face their horror. I think Mr. Sacia is the kind of person who should never own any animal. He is apparently the kind of person who sees an animal not as a member of the family, but as a possession that exists to serve his selfish purposes.

Yes Jim, why are you writing about this issue? When animal protectors are challenged for caring about animals when there are "so many more important HUMAN issues," it is usually someone like Jim Sacia who is doing the criticizing. But threaten Sacia's opportunity to send his horses to slaughter instead of doing the right thing for them, and he abandons human issues in a heartbeat. Jim Sacia wants his horse slaughter.

Is this the "love and respect" that Rep. Sacia professes to have for horses?

You raise a good point, Jim. There are only three horse slaughter operations in the US. The difference is that Texans are trying to close their plants down, while you want to keep killing horses. It is a sad day when Texas is more humane than the state formerly known as the "Land of Lincoln."

That is VERY interesting, Jim, because I have talked to Cavel general manager Jim Tucker and requested a tour of the slaughter operation. I told Mr. Tucker I would like to videotape the killing so that everyone would be able to judge for themselves. Mr. Tucker refused. Why is that, Jim?

Mr. Tucker said he was afraid we would take things out of context, but I assured him that the entire video would be aired. Of course, that is exactly what Mr. Tucker and Cavel is afraid of. Perhaps you will accept my invitation to use your special "in" with Cavel to get permission for both of us to go in there. I'll videotape the killing, and then we can show it to your constituents, who can decide for themselves about horse slaughter? How does that sound to you?

This is a ridiculous and baseless blanket statement. Why not name the horse organizations that support slaughter, and those that oppose? Those who support the cruelty are those who use and abuse horses, such as rodeo associations. Those who oppose are those who care and respect horses. As for veterinarians, it is caring vets who oppose slaughter, and irresponsible profiteering vets who support it.

I would certainly hope animal activists oppose horse slaughter, along with caring horse caregivers and responsible veterinarians.

Yes, Jim, they are.

Yes, Jim, dogs and cats are euthanized. They are not sent down a slaughter line and put through a horrific experience that completley exposes their owners as careless jerks who abandon them to a hellish fate.

If you seriously believe that horse slaughter is equal to euthanasia, why not propose dog and cat slaughter for all those unwanted felines and canines? The flesh of Fido and Tabby could be shipped to Asia. We can send these animals down a slaughter line too, after all. Let me see you propose a bill like that, Jim. Then I will know that you are serious about your horse slaughter claims. It would also be the last time your constituents would be foolish enough to vote for you.

I have always felt pity for the young people who raise an animal only to watch it being taken away for slaughter. In the beginning these young people usually agonize over what is happening, and mourn the loss of those they spent so much time with. But each year those young people become more and more desensitized. Finally, their empathy is as dismembered as the innocent lives they submitted to the butcher's knife. They end up just like you, Jim. It is then that I think I pity them the most.

Yes Jim, put them to sleep. It's not the "alternative", it is the only right thing to do.

Jim, a horse is not imposed on a family. A decision is made to take a horse in. An opportunity exists to consider the expenses involved, and that includes expenses at the end of a horse's life. If someone is unable, or, as in your case, unwilling to be a responsible horse caregiver, DON'T GET A HORSE!

What???

Jim, are you on something? If not, maybe you should be. Please consider doing the right thing for all equines and make a pledge not to ever bring another horse into your family. Do the right thing. Find another way to stroke your ego.