Horse Illustrated Magazine

A federal judge has dismissed Dekalb, Ill.-based Cavel International’s challenge to a new Illinois law that bans equine slaughter. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the law in May banning the import, export, possession and slaughter of horses intended for human consumption.

Cavel, which processes horses for human consumption overseas, was ordered to shut down last week while the judge considered the company’s challenge to the Illinois law. But on Thursday the judge threw out the case, saying that Cavel’s claims that the law is unconstitutional were without merit. Now Cavel will remain permanently closed unless it can win an appeal to this latest ruling.

Cavel attorney Phil Calabrese said an appeal was likely, but that he first had to talk with his client about the ruling. “We are disappointed in the ruling and respectfully disagree with it,” Calabrese said.
Cavel, which is located about 60 miles west of Chicago, primarily shipped its horsemeat overseas for human consumption. A portion of its meat also was sold to U.S. zoos.

Cavel operated for about 20 years and slaughtered about 1,000 horses a week, according to plant officials.

Two other U.S. plants, both in Texas, closed earlier this year. A federal appeals court upheld a Texas law banning horse slaughter for human consumption, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take up the case. The closures mark the end of a decades-long practice of slaughtering horses in the United States for human consumption overseas.

Missed the Story? Catch up with previous news coverage:

Illinois Bans Horse Slaughter for Meat

Last remaining slaughter plant remains open

Illinois Takes Steps to Ban Slaughter

The last U.S. slaughterhouse is ordered to close

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