New Mexico Attorney General Gary King says he's suing a Roswell company in an attempt to block a planned horse slaughter plant from opening in less than two weeks.
The move comes after a federal appeals court rolled back a court order that had kept Valley Meat Company from beginning operations. Owner Rick De Los Santos has been making plans to open Jan. 1, and his attorney said Thursday those plans haven't changed.
Attorney Blair Dunn called King's lawsuit frivolous and a waste of taxpayer money.
The state is seeking a restraining order to keep the plant idle. King contends that Valley Meat has the potential to violate food safety laws.
Valley Meat and other plants in Missouri and Iowa have been targeted by animal protection groups trying to block the slaughtering of horses.
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