07/18/07 PRESS RELEASE:

Cavel to Resume Horse Slaughter Operations

Chicago, Ill. (July 18, 2007) - In a crushing blow to horses and the
people of Illinois, the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
granted a motion by Cavel International, allowing it to resume horse
slaughter operations. Cavel was previously shut down in June, when
the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois denied the
same request.

Immediately following the passage in May of a new Illinois law that
makes it a crime to slaughter horses for human consumption, Cavel
filed suit in federal court to challenge the mandate's enforceability. On
July 5, the US District Court ruled that the law was constitutional and
thus, enforceable.

However, Cavel has appealed that decision to the US Court of Appeals,
and while the appeal is pending, the slaughterhouse will be able to
slaughter horses for human consumption. The US Court of Appeals
granted Cavel's request without a hearing, just two days after the
slaughterhouse filed its motion.

"We would have liked an opportunity to oppose Cavel's request before
the Court handed down its decision, and we are certainly disappointed
with this ruling," said Tracy Silverman, an attorney with the Animal
Welfare Institute (AWI).

The US Court of Appeals is expected to issue opinions related to its
decision, as well as an expedited briefing schedule, shortly.
Represented by the nationally renowned law firm Patton Boggs, AWI will
continue to be actively involved in this case until its resolution.


Contact: Tracy Silverman or Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director
Society for Animal Protective Legislation 703-836-4300

The Society for Animal Protective Legislation, the Animal Welfare Institute’s legislative arm, is the unsurpassed leader in obtaining laws to benefit animals in need, including the protection of domestic and wild horses. More information is available at www.saplonline.org/horses.htm.