Horse shooting sparks debate about slaughter in America
Source: Agencies |
March 24, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
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AN online video that shows a US meat company employee shooting a horse in the head has heightened a national debate over whether a New Mexico plant should be allowed to resume domestic horse slaughter. It would be the nation's first horse slaughterhouse in more than five years.
Horse slaughter opponents are pushing legislation in Congress to ban domestic slaughter, as well as the export of horses to other countries for slaughter. The debate comes amid an uproar in Europe over horse meat found in products labeled as beef.
Animal rights groups this week uncovered the video posted by a former employee of Valley Meat Co, which has been fighting the US Department of Agriculture for more than a year for approval to convert its former cattle slaughter operation into a horse slaughterhouse.
The video shows Tim Sappington leading a seemingly healthy horse by a rope to a spot in a dirt road. He strokes his nose and neck, says, "All you animal activists, (expletive) you," then shoots it in the head.
Valley Meat Co owner Rick De Los Santos said the employee, who was let go this week, was reacting to harassment by animal rights activists who have targeted the plant since its plans were made public about a year ago. The video, made a year ago, was uncovered this week, he said.
The New Mexico Livestock Board launched an inquiry into the shooting as a possible case of animal abuse.
Carolyn Schnurr, federal legislative manager of government relations for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, called the video "emotionally disturbing."
Chaves County Sheriff Rob Coon said the company is nearing a final inspection by federal regulators with the hope of opening horse slaughter operations next month.
Horse slaughter opponents are pushing legislation in Congress to ban domestic slaughter, as well as the export of horses to other countries for slaughter. The debate comes amid an uproar in Europe over horse meat found in products labeled as beef.
Animal rights groups this week uncovered the video posted by a former employee of Valley Meat Co, which has been fighting the US Department of Agriculture for more than a year for approval to convert its former cattle slaughter operation into a horse slaughterhouse.
The video shows Tim Sappington leading a seemingly healthy horse by a rope to a spot in a dirt road. He strokes his nose and neck, says, "All you animal activists, (expletive) you," then shoots it in the head.
Valley Meat Co owner Rick De Los Santos said the employee, who was let go this week, was reacting to harassment by animal rights activists who have targeted the plant since its plans were made public about a year ago. The video, made a year ago, was uncovered this week, he said.
The New Mexico Livestock Board launched an inquiry into the shooting as a possible case of animal abuse.
Carolyn Schnurr, federal legislative manager of government relations for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, called the video "emotionally disturbing."
Chaves County Sheriff Rob Coon said the company is nearing a final inspection by federal regulators with the hope of opening horse slaughter operations next month.
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