A New Mexico prosecutor, Attorney General Gary King, has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to prevent Valley Meat Co. from opening its horse slaughter plant on January 1, 2014.
The plant’s owner, Rick De Los Santos, says his company has several international contracts in place and they are ready to commence operations. Valley Meat Co.’s lawyer, Blair Dunn, called King’s lawsuit a frivolous waste of taxpayers’ money, explaining that if a judge issues a restraining order or preliminary injunction to halt operations, the state would have to post a security bond that could cost up to $435,000 a month, while the case was in court.
King contends that Valley Meat Co. will be state violating food safety, water quality and unfair business practices if they resume the practice of horse slaughter at their facility.
The lawsuit claims that the company has violated state and federal environmental laws when operated as a cattle slaughter plant.
It could be several weeks before a ruling is made in this case – the latest in several attempts to block horse slaughter in the US.
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