Sigourney horse slaughter operation suspended

SIGOURNEY - A federal judge temporarily blocked the opening of a Sigourney horse slaughter facility and a similar business in New Mexico late Friday afternoon, and a hearing has been scheduled for next week.

Front Range Equine Rescue, the Humane Society of the United States and other animal rights groups filed a lawsuit last month against the Department of Agriculture, claiming the department failed to conduct proper environmental studies before issuing permits to the Sigourney and New Mexico businesses.

“We've won a temporary but lifesaving reprieve for horses, and it's good news indeed that the kill boxes in New Mexico and Iowa will be empty of horses in the weeks ahead,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “We'll continue to make arguments when our case resumes in a month that these plants cannot legally operate because of inadequate environmental review.”

On Friday, before the ruling was handed down, a Keokuk County sheriff's deputy car was parked near the entrance of Responsible Transportation LLC's building in Sigourney.

A representative of the company said Responsible Transportation had not received threats, but officials were aware of issues at the New Mexico business.

According to reports, the owner of the New Mexico horse slaughter facility said his business was the target of an arsonist earlier this week.

Keaton Walker, owner of Responsible Transportation, was in New Mexico for the ruling, according to a company representative, and not available to comment.