Last year, Valley Meat Co. began a process with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to convert its former cattle slaughter operation into a horse slaughterhouse. This move - made by other would-be horse slaughterhouses as well - is in response to a recent decision by Congress to lift the ban on domestic horse slaughtering. Valley Meat Co. owner Rick De Los Santo says his plant would process horse meat for Russia, Eastern Europe, Asian as well as for pet foods. De Los Santos has also said that since his plans were made public he and his company have been victims of harassment. A newly released video has exasperated the harassment. The video, filmed last year but released this month, shows a Valley Meat Co. worker leading a healthy horse, by rope, to a spot on the dirt road. He then strokes the horse’s nose, and neck, and says, “All you animal activists, ...
