The SAFE Act would make it illegal for anyone to transport, purchase, sell, possess, ship or receive any horse with the intent of slaughter.

On June 27, Senators Bob Menendez, D-N.J., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Susan Collins, R-Maine introduced legislation to permanently end the slaughter of American horses for human consumption in the US and abroad. If passed, the SAFE Act would make it illegal for anyone to knowingly transport, purchase, sell, possess, ship or receive any horse with the intent of slaughtering the animal for human consumption. It would also codify penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals who violate the law.

“Horse slaughter is fundamentally cruel. The fear and suffering of the animals, while reason enough to stop this industry, are not the only problems,” said Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, “Since American horses are not raised for human consumption and are given medications that can be dangerous to humans, their meat is not safe to eat. We applaud these Senators who have taken a stand with most Americans who view horse slaughter as the true abomination it is.”