Horse Advocates Fear Slaughter of Nevada Mustangs
State agriculture officials in Nevada have discussed ways to garner support for the slaughter of stray horses, sparking protests among wild horse advocates. These advocates are planning a rally at the state Capitol to urge Governor Brian Sandoval to cancel the upcoming auction of 41 wild mustangs, fearing they may end up in slaughterhouses.
Carrol Abel, director of the Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund, expressed concern, stating, "The people who frequent these auctions are kill buyers. There is no reason these horses need to go out and be exposed to the slaughterhouse line."
Newly disclosed state records reveal that the state Board of Agriculture has discussed building public support for slaughtering stray horses in the foothills southeast of Reno. These discussions were prompted by safety concerns for motorists on state highways where the animals are increasingly struck and killed.
Nevada is home to about half of all free-roaming horses in the West. However, the mustangs in the Virginia Range are considered state property and do not enjoy the same protections as those on federal lands under the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro and Preservation Act.
Minutes from a 2011 state agriculture board meeting indicate that Agriculture Director Jim Barbee and board members are aware of the political and emotional ramifications of selling the animals for slaughter. One member suggested placing any new slaughterhouse on U.S. tribal lands to avoid regulatory roadblocks.
Board member Charlie Frey questioned whether public perception of horse slaughter had changed, noting that overseas, horse meat is considered a delicacy.
Wild horse advocates plan to deliver over 1,500 letters to Governor Sandoval, urging him to stop the removal of horses from the range and cancel the auction of 41 Virginia Range horses.
Barbee stated that, to his knowledge, no Nevada horses sold in previous auctions have gone to slaughter, but acknowledged there are no regulations preventing it. He emphasized that the horses are picked up due to public safety concerns.
Until recently, the state allowed advocacy groups to purchase horses before public auctions, but this policy was suspended after a group re-released the animals to the range, violating the sales agreement.
Barbee downplayed the possibility of a slaughter facility in Nevada, noting that Congress had removed a mechanism that effectively prohibited horse slaughterhouses in the U.S. by withholding USDA inspection funds.
A New Mexico meat company has applied for a permit to resume domestic horse slaughter for food for the first time in five years.
Originally Posted By The Associated Press