Shelbyville’s mayor and council have written to several members of Congress expressing concerns about a proposed federal law that would impact the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. According to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, in a letter to Rep. Scott DesJarlais and others, the council says it believes that the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act “is more encompassing than needed in its extent of new federal regulations through the Department of Agriculture.” The bill has 263 co-sponsors in the House but support from only one Tennessee member, Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis.

The letter states the council finds the actions of the few “who resort to the practice of soring or other abusive practices reprehensible. “However, it is not necessary to enact complex new federal legislation. The effective and consistent enforcement of the present law, the Horse Protection Act of 1970, should be continued.” The letter urges that a study be undertaken of the economic impact on locations where shows are held.

SOURCE: WMSR