The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act
A proposal by Senators Mike Crapo and Mark R. Warner to protect horses from the abusive practice known as soring, which refers to applying blistering or burning agents, sharp objects, or other substances or
devices to a horse’
s front limbs to intentionally make each step painful, forcing the horse to perform an exaggerated high-stepping gait that is rewarded in show rings.
The Problem:
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General conducted an audit of the federal Horse Protection Program, which found that show horse trainers often go to great lengths to evade the federal Horse Protection Act that was passed in 1970 to eliminate soring. The USDA Inspector General made several recommendations, including establishing stiffer penalties and abolishing the self-policing scheme currently allowed under existing regulations, in which Horse Industry Organizations are able to assign their own inspectors to monitor horse shows for evidence of soring. Just one week before President Obama left office, the USDA announced it had finalized a new regulation to update the Horse Protection Act. The rule would have effectively ended the practice of soring. However, the rule was not published in time to be finalized before the end of the Obama Administration. In January 2017, the regulation was sent back to the Office of the Federal Register for review and has not been acted on since.
The Bill:
The PAST Act would eliminate self-policing by requiring the USDA to assign a licensed inspector if a
horse show’s
management indicates an intent to hire one. Licensed or accredited veterinarians, if available, would be given preference for these positions. This legislation would also prohibit the use of action devices and pads on three horse breeds that historically have been the primary victims of soring: Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. Action devices, such as chains that rub up and down an already-sore leg, intensify the
horse’
s pain when it moves, so that the horse quickly jolts up its leg. The bill would also increase the penalties on an individual caught soring from a misdemeanor to a felony that is subject to up to three years of incarceration, increase fines from $3,000 to $5,000 per violation, and permanently disqualify three-time violators from participating in horse shows, exhibitions, sales or auctions.
Support:
The bill is endorsed by the American Horse Council, American Veterinary Medical Association, Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
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