Horse Slaughter Facility Unsure In Oklahoma

Although the Legislature passed a bill this year authorizing the slaughter of horses, it’s not clear if a facility will open in Oklahoma once the law takes effect Nov. 1.

The bill was backed by Rep. Skye McNiel of Bristow and Sen. Eddie Fields of Wynona. Fields says he’s not aware of any efforts to build a facility in Oklahoma.

Before the law passed, Ahsan Amil of Oklahoma Meat Company applied for a federal inspection with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Amil says that he’s no longer pursuing the permit.

In New Mexico, the Humane Society of the United States filed suit over that state’s law allowing horse slaughter. Last week, a federal judge approved an injunction that temporarily halts the opening of any plants.