Amendments to Horse Protection Act Would Eliminate Corrupt Industry Self-Policing Practices and Make Other Key Reforms

Days before the commencement of the 2012 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn., The Humane Society of the United States is launching a national tip line in English and Spanish to help crack down on the illegal and cruel practice known as "soring."? The HSUS offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides any information leading to the arrest and conviction of a violator of the Horse Protection Act or any state law which prohibits horse soring, the deliberate infliction of pain to force horses to perform an artificially high-stepping gait for the show ring.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the release of its final rule requiring uniform mandatory minimum penalties for violations of the federal Horse Protection Act. USDA-certified horse industry organizations operate alongside the USDA to enforce the Horse Protection Act by conducting inspections at Tennessee Walking Horse competitions. The final rule also clarifies that the agency can decertify a horse industry organization for any failure to comply with the regulations.

For the first time in 20 years, the crime of soring is being prosecuted in the U.S. court system. As a result, four individuals have been convicted and four more indicted in regard to soring of Tennessee Walking Horses during the past 6 months.