9/8/2008

Kirk Calls for Ban on Deadly Horse Trailers

METTAWA, ILL. – Joining with horse enthusiasts and animal protection advocates at Shadowbrook Farm, U.S. Representative Mark Kirk called for a national ban on the use of double-deck trailers for the transportation of horses following an accident in Wadsworth last fall that killed 19 Belgian draft horses.  In October 2007, a double-deck cattle truck carrying 59 Belgian draft horses overturned when the driver ran a red light and hit another vehicle on Route 41.  Residents at the scene could hear the animals kicking and screaming, panicked by their inability to escape.  Eight horses died on the scene while another 10 had to be euthanized – one died later.  Full Story