Recently, Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2015 (H.R.1282). The bill would prohibit the interstate transport of any horse in a double-deck truck. Similar bills have been introduced in the last several Congresses.
The bill would prohibit the interstate transport of any horse in a double-deck truck. It would impose civil penalties of $100 to $500 for each violation of the proposed prohibition. A separate violation occurs for each horse transported.
The bill was originally prompted by accidents involving horses being transported in double-decker trucks, primarily a 2007 accident in Wadsworth, Illinois involving the overturning of a double-deck cattle truck carrying 59 Belgian draft horses. Eight horses died at the scene and ten were later euthanized.
Several states have passed legislation banning the transport of horses in these trucks, but there is no federal prohibition. However, it is illegal to transport horses to slaughter in such vehicles.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.