JANUARY 1ST IS THE DAY A HORSE SLAUGHTERHOUSE IN ROSWELL PLANS TO OPEN. VALLEY MEAT COMPANY OWNER RICK DE LOS SANTOS SAYS THEY'LL START SLOW … BUT HE SAYS HE ALREADY HAS A NUMBER OF CONTRACTS FOR MEAT LINED UP.
THE OPENING OF VALLEY MEAT COMES IN THE WAKE OF A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT ORDER LIFTING A STAY THAT KEPT THE COMPANY CLOSED. THE COURT ACTION ALSO AFFECTS A SLAUGHTERHOUSE IN MISSOURI, AND ONE IN IOWA THAT'S SWITCHED TO BEEF.
ANIMAL PROTECTION GROUPS WORKED TO PREVENT THE SLAUGHTER OF HORSES.
