Posted November 6, 2013
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Tenth Circuit has issued a temporary injunction, halting plans by companies in New Mexico and Missouri to begin slaughtering horses, according the an article by the Associated Press available here.
The temporary injunction bars USDA from inspecting the plants, which were planning to open soon after a federal judge in Albuquerque dismissed the lawsuit brought by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) on Friday. The HSUS filed an appeal and won an emergency injunction, arguing that USDA failed to conduct proper environmental studies when it issued permits to the slaughterhouses.
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS, said, “Horse slaughter is a predatory, inhumane business, and we are pleased to win another round in the courts to block killing of these animals on American soil for export to Italy and Japan…Meanwhile, we are redoubling our efforts in Congress to secure a permanent ban on the slaughter of our horses throughout North American.” A news release by HSUS is available here.
Blair Dunn, attorney for Valley Meat Co. of Roswell, N.M., and Rains Natural Meats of Gallatin, Mo., emphasized that the order was temporary, stating, “We know the 10th Circuit will follow the law and allow my clients to proceed as soon as our side is considered…The plaintiffs have misstated the law, the facts and science. We look forward to a quick decision when the facts are considered and the District Court’s careful decision is reviewed.”
A Congressional vote to end funding in 2006, effectively banned horse slaughter until the money was restored in 2011. St. Louis Today also reported on the story here.
The debate over a return to domestic horse slaughter has been heated, centering on whether horses are livestock or companion animals and considering the most humane way to deal with horse overpopulation particularly in the drought-stricken West.
For more information on Animal Welfare, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center here.
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