Urge Congress to Support the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act
Dear John,
Each year, millions of farmed animals are subjected to long, grueling journeys across the United States. The federal Twenty-Eight Hour Law is the only source of protection, albeit minimal, for animals transported long distances. This law requires that animals traveling 28 hours or more be offloaded for food, water, and rest. Unfortunately, the federal government has failed to adequately enforce this statute, according to AWI's research. As a result, many vulnerable farmed animals have likely suffered in packed trucks during long, cross-country journeys.
Transport is extremely stressful for all animals; however, long transport journeys are even more torturous for high-risk groups, including very young, sick, and immunocompromised animals. Many of these animals are unfit to travel, meaning that they cannot be transported without experiencing significant suffering or even death. A recent investigation by AWI revealed that hundreds of thousands of dairy calves as young as 2 to 3 days old are subjected to lengthy cross-country transport. "Cull" animals (those removed from a producing herd due to age, illness, or other infirmity) are also regularly shipped long distances to slaughterhouses, with some already dead or immobile upon arrival.
Recently, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act to help address these issues by increasing enforcement of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law and prohibiting the transport of vulnerable animals unable to withstand long journeys. We need your help in urging your member of Congress to support this important legislation.