***ILLINOIS BANS HORSE SLAUGHTER***

Late this afternoon, the Governor of Illinois signed into law legislation to ban the slaughter of horses in his state for human consumption abroad.

Violators of the new law face up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,500. Unless it finds a way around this legislation, the Cavel slaughterhouse in DeKalb is out of business.

Although some of the Fans of Barbaro (FOBs) made a heroic effort to save truckloads of horses in the wee hours of the morning, knowing the Governor had not yet signed the legislation, they were not successful in saving any of the more than 140 horses executed today. In a matter of hours last night, they collected $14,000 over the Internet and were prepared to ransom the horses to save their lives. However, they were not for sale.

Please observe a moment of silence for the innocent horses destroyed today and to honor those who tried so persistently to save them.