A controversial horse slaughtering plant in southern New Mexico has drawn the interest of tribes and individual Indians across the country.
The
National Congress of American
Indians, the
Navajo
Nation, the Mescalero Apache Nation of New Mexico, the
Oglala Sioux Tribe of
South Dakota and the
Yakama Nation of
Washington want the
Department of Agriculture to inspect horse slaughtering plants.
Tribes say such facilities can help reduce the number of wild horses on their reservations.
But the idea has drawn opposition from tribal members.
Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Pipe, Chief David Bald Eagle of the Minikoju Band of the
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Roxanne Talltree-Douglas, a
Blackfeet Nation horsewoman, and other individual Indians don't think the Valley Meat Co. should slaughter horses for human consumption.
Judge Christina Armijo will be sorting through the competing arguments at a hearing today. Animal rights groups, the state of New Mexico and other interests are asking her to block the USDA permit that was issued to Valley Meat.
A ruling could come later today.
Get the Story:
Federal judge expected to rule on request to block start of horse slaughter
(AP 8/2)
Two Navajo legislators support NM horse slaughter facility, one takes shots at Susana and Richardson
(New Mexico Watchdog 8/2)
N.M. at center of controversy
(The Albuquerque Journal 8/2)
Slaughterhouse opening delayed
(The Albuquerque Journal 8/31)
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Oglala Sioux
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