Horse Protection Act of 1970
The Horse Protection Act of 1970, codified as 15 U.S.C. §§ 1821–1831, is a United States federal law aimed at eliminating the practice of soring, a cruel method used to enhance a horse's gait for competition, particularly in certain horse shows.
Purpose
- To prohibit the showing, sale, auction, or transport of horses that have been sored.
- To ensure fair competition in horse shows by banning practices that give an unfair advantage through animal abuse.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Soring: The act defines soring as any practice that causes pain to enhance a horse's gait, including the use of chemicals, devices, or physical alterations.
- Prohibition of Soring: It is illegal to show or sell a sored horse or to use any practices that might lead to soring.
- Enforcement: The Act is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
- Penalties: Violators can face civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Amendments
- In 1976, amendments were made to strengthen the Act, increasing penalties and authorizing the use of Designated Qualified Persons (DQPs) for inspections.
Impact
- Despite the law, soring continues to be an issue, leading to ongoing enforcement challenges and legislative efforts like the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act to further strengthen regulations.
Current Status
- The Act is still in effect, with continuous efforts to improve enforcement and compliance, including recent regulatory updates by APHIS.