FRANKFORT, KY — Despite the news about the existence of SB139 going viral with people all across Kentucky contacting the State Legislature opposing the measure, this morning the bill passed out of the State Agricultural Committee unanimously with a vote count of 15-0-0.
SB139 endangers what protections horses currently have in Kentucky against cruelty and abuse by lowering their status from a domestic animal to livestock. It also opens the door to horse slaughter in Kentucky should that return to US soil.
This move is strongly supported by the agricultural and horse racing communities in Kentucky who already treat horses with shocking disrespect.
The next step is to send it to the full Kentucky State House for a vote. If SB139 passes there the bill will be sent to the Governor to sign into law.
Kentuckians, please continue to speak out against this bill.
The horses are counting on us to defend them to the final minute. And the fight won’t even be over then.
Feel like sipping some Kentucky bourbon? Feel like watching or betting on the Kentucky Derby? Or buying anything from Kentucky with this going on?
Ask the people of Tennessee what horse soring has done for their economy. Just saying.
RELATED READING
• So happy together: Supporters of Kentucky State bill SB139 reducing horses to livestock status »
• Kentucky legislature setting the stage for the slaughter of horses wiyh SB139 »
Tuesday's Horse 
That is the stupidest piece of legislation to be passed and Kentucky Legislators should be ashamed to show their face in public. STOP the madness! When the public is requiring MORE protection for ALL animals, YOU have just entered back into the stone age. You are elected and as such can be UNELECTED or recalled.
LikeLike
I sent message to Kentucky Tourism that I would never set foot in Kentucky again if this bill passes. Everyone needs to do this. Get their attention!!!
LikeLike
I have no words for this [kind of law]. Sickens me.
LikeLike
VGrF… do you have the list of people who voted yes? Can you please share if you do. Thank you! : )
LikeLike
Hello, Lisa. The vote 15-0-0 means 15 voted yes, 0 voted against, the other 0 means no one was absent (which you probably know but for those who do not).
Here are the 2017 House Standing Committee on Agriculture member taken from the Kentucky State Legislature website. The links did not embed but you can access them at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Committee/standing/Ag%20(H)/members.htm.
Rep. Richard Heath [Chair]
Rep. Mark Hart [Vice Chair]
Rep. Matt Castlen
Rep. Myron Dossett
Rep. Derrick Graham
Rep. David Hale
Rep. Angie Hatton
Rep. James Kay
Rep. Kim King
Rep. Suzanne Miles
Rep. Sannie Overly
Rep. Jason Petrie
Rep. Phillip Pratt
Rep. Rick Rand
Rep. Brandon Reed
Rep. Rob Rothenburger
Rep. Steven Rudy
Rep. Dean Schamore
Rep. Wilson Stone
Rep. Walker Thomas
Rep. James Tipton
Rep. Tommy Turner
Rep. Susan Westrom
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Do we know which of the 15 voted yes for the bill?
LikeLike
They are most likely trying to get it to pass to allow those owning horses to designate their land as ag land for a much needed tax break. It is something that would help all horse owners with their taxes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There could be a new piece of legislation introduced solely to provide for tax benefits to horse owners on their land. SB139 is completely inappropriate and wrong to classify all horses as livestock but we know why they’re doing this….. slaughter and zero protection for the welfare of the horses, plain and simple.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Straight from the Horse's Heart and commented:
Shocking…
LikeLike
Reblogged this on nk4g2.
LikeLike
Horses are not livestock, if they are than try riding a cow , pig those are livestock and see if they bring you the riches and fame the horse has. Shame on you Kentucky for lowering yourself this way.
LikeLike
Kentucky currently is famous for its bluegrass, bourbon and Thoroughbreds. It appears that it’s legislators now want it to be infamous for abuse of those same beautiful animals. Horses are not livestock. They are PETS. They are pets you can ride, pets who will pull your wagon, pets who will LOVE YOU BACK and become your best friend. It is not in the state’s best interest that hundreds of horse lovers start posting photos and articles of bleeding, maimed and dead Thoroughbreds. Nor is it good for the racing industry. But that is EXACTLY what we activists will do if this bill passes. Get ready for the fight of your lives, Kentucky.
LikeLike
We are unstoppable.
LikeLike
Why all the lies?? This does not take protections away from horses. It does not classifying them as livestock. So tired of fake news.
LikeLike
So tired of fake comments. You have no idea what you are talking about. Please do your homework before calling people liars.
LikeLike
Okay, Diana. To substantiate your comment, could you please cite the laws/legislation in the jurisdiction of the state of Kentucky that specifically protect the welfare of the horse?
In relation to the horseracing industry in Kentucky, here is an example of the standard of protection given to a horse when viciously beaten with a whip:
Victor Espinoza beat American Pharoah with his whip 32 times in about 35 seconds (repetitive hits not giving the horse a chance to respond) in the 2015 Kentucky Derby and, according to a media report, Kentucky Racing Commission, Steward, Barbara Borden, stated “we watched it many, many times prior to making it official and that was not anything that got our attention”. Well, it sure got the attention of 17.9 million viewers (worldwide) – there was outrage. Two years on, there are still no restrictions as to the number of times a horse can be beaten with a whip.
LikeLike