Two controversial horse slaughtering are preparing to open after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a temporary stay.

The facilities in New Mexico and Missouri received permits from the Department of Agriculture. Animal rights groups went to court to prevent them from opening and won a temporary victory that ended on Friday when the court ended the stay.

The National Congress of American Indians, the Mescalero Apache Nation of New Mexico, the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and the Yakama Nation of Washington have supported the issuance of permits for the plants.

The Navajo Nation originally supported the permits but President Ben Shelly changed his mind after hearing complaints from elders and animal rights activists.

Tribes say the plants can help address high numbers of wild and abandoned horses on their reservations. But individual Indians -- including Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Pipe -- opposed the idea in court documents.

Get the Story:
Horse slaughter plants gearing up for business as court lifts stay (AP 12/16)

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10th Circuit puts temporary hold on horse slaughtering facilities (11/05)
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Navajo Nation president explains support for horse slaughter (08/12)