Legislation modeled after Act 64 is being introduced in Indiana to ban the use of double deck trailers to transport horses. Indiana is home to the infamous Shipshewanna horse auction. The Equine Protection Network, Inc., EPN, has led the fight in PA since 1996 to pass legislation in Pennsylvania that would outlaw the use of double deck cattle trailers to transport horses, and has the support of over 25 PA and national horse industry organizations along with thousands of individual horse owners and enthusiasts, including 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist David O'Connor. Governor Ridge signed PA HB 1139 into law on June 25, 2001. Each equine animal is a separate offense.
First violation is a summary.
Second violation is a third degree misdemeanor for each equine animal. Read PA HB 1139 Underlined text is PA HB1139. The horse is part of American heritage, having played a major role in our historical growth and development. Post industrial revolution, horses now contribute significantly to the enjoyment of generations of recreation enthusiasts in America. However millions of American recreational horses have been secretly purchased and slaughtered for the foreign markets.