Congress failed to ban horse slaughtering Tuesday but passed an amendment that would require slaughter houses to pass inspections by veterinarians.

The amendment passed by Congress requires the inspections, but did not approve to pay for the specialized inspectors. The Department of Agriculture said to cover the costs slaughter houses will be required to pay for the inspections.

“We’re pleased. We breathed a sigh of relief,” said James Tucker, general manager of Cavel International in DeKalb.

Cavel is one of three horse-slaughtering houses in the United States. The other two are in Texas.

David Sceon, spokesman for the three slaughter houses said he was pleased with the outcome and the decision of Congress not to ban horse slaughtering.

These slaughter houses provide a much-needed service, he said.

“The option given to horse-owners of sending horses to a processing place provides a known humane way to end horse’s days,” Sceon said.

For more information on this issue, see Thursday’s issue of the Northern Star.