Experts

Baker, Sally J., Director of Public Relations, American Association of Equine Practitioners, 4075 Irons Works Parkway, Lexington, KY, 40511, (859) 233-0147.

Sally J. Baker is the director of publications at the American Association of Equine Practitioners. This organization’s mission statement is “To improve the health and welfare of the horse, to further the professional development of its members, and to provide resources and leadership for the benefit of the equine industry.” This group is very up to date on the equine care and research. Baker is the one who gives press interviews and is like a spokesperson for this group, who represents what it stands for. Because of their veterinary research and expertise, they can explain horse slaughter in a scientific manner, without emotions hurting the information.

Black, Jerry, DVM (2008, February). Secretary, American Horse Council, 1616 H Street NW, 7th floor, Washington, DC, 20006, (202) 296-4031.

Dr. Jerry Black, DVM, is the secretary for the American Horse Council. This organization is a national association that represents different parts of the horse industry; working out of Washington, D.C. Dr. Black has also been involved with the American Association of Equine Practitioners by being the president in 2001. He is very influential in the equine world. He has also been interviewed for numerous articles about horse slaughter and explains if slaughter is done it has to be done humanely. He runs a breeding farm with his wife and continues to work at the clinic, Pioneer Equine Hospital, he found, in Oakdale, California. Dr. Black would be a good source to talk with to understand the history of this movement and what he thinks of it because he is so influential and knowledgeable.

Cordes, Dr. Timothy, USDA Slaughter Horse Program Leader, USDA/APHIS/AC, 4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, MD, 20737-1234, (301) 734-3279.

Dr. Timothy R. Cordes is the senior staff veterinary, for equine disease at the United States Department of Agriculture, for the APHIS branch. This branch focuses on animal and plant health and disease topics. Dr. Cordes is also the USDA Slaughter Horse Program leader. He is a leader in many other programs and holds a very important role in the animal and plant diseases. Dr. Cordes comes up with plans, so the diseases don’t spread. He is very knowledgeable about agriculture, including horses. He is the project leader and has a very rich background in agriculture, along with being the leader of other branches in the USDA.

Doyle, Cathleen, Founder, Hoof PAC. PO Box 40000, Studio City, CA, 91614, (818) 771-0702.

Cathleen Doyle found the Hoof PAC, Political Action Committee and is part of the California Equine Council. The Hoof PAC is group against horse slaughter for overseas consumption. They are politically active and work to ban horse slaughter in the United States, along with passing laws to eliminate equine cruelty. Doyle has been interviewed for many articles about horse slaughter. She has participated and spoke at many conferences regarding this issue. Doyle would be a good source to understand the political actions of the horse community.

Grandin, Temple Dr., Professor of Animal Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, (970) 229-0703.

Dr. Temple Grandin is a professor of animal sciences at the Colorado State University. She is a designer of livestock handling facilities, which are located all over the world. Almost half of the cattle in North America are handled in her system, which has a center track restrainer system and a curve chute, along with race systems. These are designed for cows to help reduce the stress for the animals. She is well known and has been interviewed by NPR, 20/20, 48 Hours, CNN Larry King Live, etc. She has also written over 300 articles in scientific journals and livestock periodicals, on animal handling, welfare, and facility design. She is also known for her autism advocacy. Temple uses her autism to understand how animals react and are hypersensitive to everything around them, like she is. Temple would be a good source to understand how animals react to the slaughter experience.