Owner of Illinois slaughterhouse sues over state ban
The owner of Cavel International Inc., the Belgium-based company that operates a horse slaughterhouse in DeKalb, Ill., filed suit Friday in federal court seeking to nullify a state law that closed down the plant the day before.
The state law, signed Thursday by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, prohibits the import, export, possession and slaughter of horses intended for human consumption.
According to the suit, the owner is seeking to nullify the state law that closed down the plant arguing that it is an unconstitutional exercise of the state’s police power because it does not protect any legitimate health or safety interest.
The suit seeks a temporary restraining order that would allow the plant to continue operating while the case is being litigated.
For more on the status of Texas horse slaughter, click here >>
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I'm appalled that any lawfirm would consider taking on this case! What this company does is sickening, heartless, cruel and such actions should be not only outlawed but ANY human who can, without a conscious, inflict such pain and torture on such a wonderful species should be put through the same horrific torture these horses and burrows have to endure. It's no wonder horses aren't trusting by nature. My heart aches for each of these poor creatures and if there is anything I can do to stop this travesty, I will!!!
The heartless slaughter house owner needs to get over his bad self. I hope he loses the law suit.
I don't believe any person or company should be allowed to kill and/or export our horses for human food. This is an abuse of the American people and what is near and dear to many - our horses. I hope that something can be done so the governor's law would not be declared unconsitutional. We, as horse owners, have a 'consitutional right' to keep horses from these companies that are making dollars on the killing of our horses.
I hope he wins. So what if other cultures want to eat horse. Other people don't think its right that we eat cow. Instead of trying to shut down slaughter, why not try to alter regulations? I hope all anti-slaughter people realize that now that this ban is in effect, horses are being shipped to mexico, where there are no regulations and they end up suffering there.
This is only going to be the begining. Please keep us all posted on the outcome of this and other issues of the new law.