ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico company seeking to convert its cattle plant to a horse slaughterhouse might have been the target of arson.
The Roswell Daily Record reports a fire Saturday that burned part of the exterior of Valley Meat Co.'s building and damaged a refrigeration unit appeared to have been deliberately set.
Chaves County Sheriff's Department Lt. Britt Snyder says fire officials were investigating the Roswell blaze and have not yet determined the cause. But he called the fire "very suspicious."
The Humane Society of the United States and other groups are seeking to block the planned Aug. 5 opening of Valley Meat and another recently approved horse slaughterhouse in Iowa.
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Information from: Roswell Daily Record, http://www.roswell-record.com