The owner of Cavel International Inc., the Belgium-based company that operates a horse slaughterhouse in DeKalb, Ill., filed suit Friday in federal court seeking to nullify a state law that closed down the plant the day before.
The state law, signed Thursday by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, prohibits the import, export, possession and slaughter of horses intended for human consumption.
According to the suit, the owner is seeking to nullify the state law that closed down the plant arguing that it is an unconstitutional exercise of the state's police power because it does not protect any legitimate health or safety interest.
The suit seeks a temporary restraining order that would allow the plant to continue operating while the case is being litigated.
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