Overview of California Statewide Public Opinion Survey Report on Horse Slaughter

This survey of likely California voters found that most people had not heard about the breeding of horses in the U.S. for the purpose of slaughtering them for consumption in other countries; 40% had heard something about the subject.

• When asked what they think results in better laws and policy, 66% said laws made through citizen ballot initiatives, while 23% said state laws passed by the state’s elected officials. About 11% are unsure.
• Three out of five respondents had not heard or read anything about U.S. horses being bred for slaughter, but 40% had heard or read something about it.
• 69% of voters believed that selling horses for slaughter for human consumption is illegal or it should be; 27% disagreed.
• 11% of voters would eat horse meat if it were legal and available, while 87% would not and 2% were unsure.
• 3% of the voters say that horses are a food animal to be used for meat like pigs, cattle and sheep, with 23% saying they are farm animals; 38% say horses are recreation and sporting animals, and 31% say they are companion animals. About 6% are unsure.
• Nearly 70% would favor a “Save the American Horse” measure to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption. About 26% are opposed and 4% are unsure.