U.S. Federal Appeals Court Halts Horse Slaughter Plans

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (AP) — A federal appeals court has temporarily halted plans by companies in New Mexico and Missouri to begin slaughtering horses. This decision continues the on-again, off-again efforts to resume domestic equine slaughter two years after Congress lifted a ban on the practice.

Temporary Injunction Issued

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver issued a temporary injunction preventing the Department of Agriculture from inspecting the plants in New Mexico and Missouri. These plants were preparing to open after a federal judge in Albuquerque dismissed a lawsuit by The Humane Society of the United States. The lawsuit alleged that the department failed to conduct proper environmental studies when issuing permits to the slaughterhouses.

The Humane Society filed an immediate appeal and secured an emergency injunction.

"Horse slaughter is a predatory, inhumane business, and we are pleased to win another round in the courts to block the killing of these animals on American soil for export to Italy and Japan," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "Meanwhile, we are redoubling our efforts in Congress to secure a permanent ban on the slaughter of our horses throughout North America."

Legal Battle Continues

Blair Dunn, representing Valley Meat Co. of Roswell, New Mexico, and Rains Natural Meats of Gallatin, Missouri, emphasized that the order was temporary.

"We know the 10th Circuit will follow the law and allow my clients to proceed as soon as our side is considered," Dunn said. "The plaintiffs have misstated the law, the facts, and the science. We look forward to a quick decision when the facts are considered and the District Court's careful decision is reviewed."

Valley Meat Co. owner Rick De Los Santos has been fighting for two years for approval to open. He converted his small, struggling cattle slaughterhouse in southern New Mexico to take advantage of a shift in Congress that lifted a ban on funding for inspections at horse slaughterhouses.

A vote to end that funding in 2006 effectively banned horse slaughter until the money was restored in 2011.

USDA's Role and Public Debate

The USDA did not approve the first permits for horse slaughter plants until this summer. However, just days before Valley Meat and a third company, Responsible Transportation of Sigourney, Iowa, were set to open, U.S. District Judge Christina Armijo issued a temporary restraining order that kept the plants closed until she decided the lawsuit by the animal protection groups. Responsible Transportation has since converted its plant to cattle.

The debate over a return to domestic horse slaughter is emotional, centering on whether horses are livestock or companion animals and what is the most humane way to deal with the country's horse overpopulation, particularly in the drought-stricken West. Supporters argue it is better to slaughter unwanted horses in regulated domestic plants than to ship them thousands of miles to sometimes inhumane plants in Mexico.

During the two-year fight, De Los Santos and his wife have received numerous death threats. Last summer, there was a suspicious fire at the plant.

The issue has divided horse rescue and animal welfare groups, ranchers, politicians, and Indian tribes.

The companies aim to ship horse meat to countries where it is consumed by humans or used as animal feed.

Originally Posted By Associated Press