Horse Slaughter May Be Put On Hold In Oklahoma

Funding for USDA inspectors of horse slaughter plants has been removed from the federal budget, reining in the controversial law in Oklahoma that allows for Horse Slaughter plants to be built.

The bill to allow horse slaughter plants was one of the most controversial issues at the capitol last session. Still, it galloped through the House and Senate and was signed by Governor Fallin.

But without inspectors, plants cannot operate anywhere in the United States including Oklahoma.

"I think relieved is the word that describes how I feel," said Cynthia Armstrong is with the Humane Society of the United States on Tuesday. Her organization was part of the group who lobbied to get the funding removed. "We are glad that at least at the federal level has been taken to stop any of these plants from opening at least in the foreseeable future."

But the lawmaker who authored the bill says she was blindsided by the news.

3/26/2013 Related Story: Oklahoma Senate Passes Controversial Horse Slaughter Bill

"It's horribly frustrating because we did not go through this as a state, we did not even have the discussion until the feds put the money back in to have those inspections paid for," said Rep. Skye McNeil.

And now, Rep. McNeil says we are back at the starting gate when it comes to the problem of unwanted horses.

"They really are not coming up with a solution helping the industry decide what to do with these unwanted horses,"  Rep. McNeil said.

Armstrong says her group is still pushing for a permanent ban on horse slaughter in the U.S. and in exporting Horses for slaughter to other countries.