Native Americans Refute Claims as Bogus Author Says

Horse Slaughter

By R.T. Fitch on July 23, 2009 • ( 3 Comments )

Washington Activist Blasts Political Opportunists Using Issue

By R.T. Fitch

HOUSTON (SFHH) – On July 18th, 2009 an Associated Press story hit the internet quoting sources saying  the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon would attempt to reintroduce horse slaughter into the United States.
The headline, “Groups Push to Slaughter Horses for Meat Possibly in Oregon” swept across the internet like wild fire.

Author R.T. Fitch

“Native Americans and others are pushing for the renewed slaughter of horses in the U.S..and processing them into meat,” The AP story said.  “..The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are considering building a slaughter and
processing facility on their reservation north of Madras, as recommended last spring by a coalition of Northwest tribes.”

The story by Dick Cockle is inaccurate.  Several days of data mining and calls to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has brought forth information that refutes virtually everything Cockle reported.  “No, we are not making any plans to build a horse slaughter plant on any reservation”, stated Tim Outman, field representative for the Warm Springs Tribe’s Department of Natural Resources.  Putting all cultural and moral conflicts aside, Outman said, “Who would invest 8-10 million dollars into building a facility where there is absolutely no market?  Shipping horse meat is against Federal Law.  We have no idea what, where or who, is perpetuating this misinformation.”

“This sort of journalism does nothing to further the cause and public relations of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs”, stated Outman

The AP also misquoted Chris Hyde of Washington’s Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) to such a point that Mr. Hyde responded, in disgust saying, “Richard Cockle has again written another poorly researched and unsupported article
on horses. I spent a great deal of time on the phone with him providing facts and evidence dismissing the misleading claims put forward by individuals more interested in abusing horses than advancing the truth.  However, what does he do? Prints rhetoric. It is a shame that Mr. Cockle, Sue Wallis and others continue to exploit the truth and suffering of horses just to make a name for themselves nationally”

“It is amazing how sloppy reporters have been on this issue.  The tribes are smart enough to see a scam and this is one of the worst.  The misinformation on this issue seems to be radiating from a very pro-horse slaughter vet from the region who just happens to be a leader of the so called “Unwanted” Horse Coalition.  As we all know this is a front group for the horse slaughter industry.”

Wallis is a Wyoming politician attempting to bring horse slaughter back to the United States.

R.T. Fitch is the author of the much acclaimed book, “Straight from the Horse’s Heart”

Categories: Horse Slaughter, The Force of the Horse

Tagged as: animal cruelty, Chris Hyde, Horse Slaughter, Native Americans, R.T. Fitch, Warm Springs Tribe, Wild Horse, Wild Mustang