Twyla Francois of the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition organized and conducted a memorial tribute for the more than 100,000 horses brutally slaughtered at a Neudorf abbatoir closed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency this past February.
Standing at a chainlink fence outside the Natural Meat Plant, near the final resting place for these tortured and slain horses — a rendering pit — placing the notes of condolence, poems and prayers sent from Canada and around the world, Twyla noticed the approach of man driving a bulldozer from the other side.
Twyla tells us the rest in an excerpt from her email about the events:
We had just enough time to hang all of the memorials when one of the workers arrived on a tractor and tried to intimidate us into leaving. We stayed and read out your words, Michelle.
It was heartbreaking that even the remains of these horses couldn’t have a moment of peace without a man crushing them further by rolling over them with his tractor. The man was making numerous phone calls and knowing we still had to drive by the plant to return to the highway, decided it best to leave early.
When we passed the turn off to the plant, a large grey truck carrying 2 large men sped up on us. Travelling at speeds in excess of 130 km/hr on the gravel roads, the truck caught up to us, pulled up along side us then pulled out in front of us, trying to force us to the side (or edge – as much of the roads in the Qu’Appelle Valley drop off into huge gulleys on either side). Thanks to my skillfull driver, we maneuvered out but the men continued pursuing us until we reached the highway, then thankfully turned off into the town of Grenfell.
The whole experience was incredibly upsetting. It was supposed to be a moment of peace for the horses, but even this small charity could not be extended by workers and management at the plant.
I take some pleasure in knowing that the workers who certainly pulled it all down the minute after we left couldn’t have helped but read one or two of the tributes. I also hope that the strong winds of the Qu’Appelle Valley pulled at least a few off and scattered them into the valleys and fields, to be found by a farmer tilling his field.
Thank you all again for taking the time to think of these horses. The love and support poured out for them is heartening and moving. Please spread the video far and wide.
Warmly,
Twyla
Tuesday's Horse 