N.M. horse slaughter plants claims it was the victim of arson, but still plans to open Monday

UPDATE, Aug. 5: A federal judge on Friday temporarily halted plans by companies in New Mexico and Iowa to start slaughtering horses. U.S. District Judge Christina Armijo issued a restraining order in a lawsuit brought by The Humane Society of the United States and other groups in a case that has sparked an emotional national debate about how best to deal with the tens of thousands of wild, unwanted and abandoned horses across the country. (Read more)

The lawyer for a horse slaughter plant in New Mexico said Valley Meat Co. was the victim of a weekend fire that is suspected to be arson, the El Paso Times reports. Lawyer A. Blair Dunn told the paper, "no major damage" was done to the plant, and referred to the fire as "an act of domestic terrorism." Dunn said plant owner Rick De Los Santos, citing safety concerns, will not appear Friday at a federal hearing for a lawsuit filed by animal protection groups to block the opening of the plant. Unless a judge issues a temporary restraining order Friday, the plant is expected to open Monday.

Dunn told Emily Younger, of KRQE News 13 in Albuquerque, the fire targeted the plant's electrical refrigeration system. “It did do some damage to the those refrigeration units which are a life blood and a critical component for the operation of the plant." He said one unit provides electricity to the entire plant and without it, the horse slaughterhouse can't function. “Very clearly someone knew what they were up to and tried to set a fire to disable those and potentially destroy the plant." Maintenance crews are expected to be able to replace the damaged refrigeration units in time for the plant to open Monday, Dunn said. (Read more)