New Mexico law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire that damaged a meat company plant expected to begin processing horses next week.

On June 28, Atty. Blair Dunn, who represents the owners of the Valley Meats Co. LLC, in Roswell, N.M., announced that the company had received Food Safety Inspection Service permit, which allows placement of USDA personnel at the processing plant to carry out horsemeat inspections. Horse processing is slated to begin at the Roswell plant on Aug. 5.

Chaves County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Britt Snyder said that on July 27, a passerby saw smoke emanating from one of the plant’s machines. Upon arrival, Chaves County law enforcement personnel discovered a piece of plant equipment on fire.

“We think that someone poured gasoline or another accelerant on the machine,” Snyder said

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.