Judge's Ruling Paves Way for Nevada Horse Slaughter

The fate of 148 horses in Nevada hangs in the balance as a legal battle unfolds over whether they are domestic horses eligible for slaughter or wild mustangs deserving federal protection. A recent court ruling has intensified the debate, allowing the sale of these unbranded horses.

On Wednesday, a U.S. District Court in Reno lifted a temporary restraining order that had barred the sale of unbranded horses captured by the Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Tribe under an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service.

Animal advocates claim that 400 horses were removed from public and tribal lands in northern Nevada and sent to a slaughter auction in Fallon. Judge Miranda Du ruled that the U.S. Forest Service correctly determined the Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe as the rightful owner of the animals, allowing their sale.

Testimonies in court included discussions on whether the horses exhibited wild behavior. Chris Miller, a Nevada brand inspector, testified that the horses were tame, stating, “They didn't want to try to escape from us, which you'd expect a wild horse to do.”

However, Deniz Bolbol of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) argued that the horses were indeed wild, noting their reluctance to approach humans and their behavior consistent with wild animals.

Last Saturday, more than 240 branded horses were auctioned, but the legal order prevented the sale of unbranded horses. Animal activists are now negotiating with the tribe to purchase the remaining 148 horses, fearing they might otherwise be sold to kill-buyers.

Erik Petersen, a Justice Department lawyer, stated that the tribe has the right to sell their horses, emphasizing their ownership rights. In response, Bolbol’s group expressed disappointment with the court's decision, criticizing federal agencies for failing to protect wild horses on federal lands.

The remaining horses are currently held at the Fallon Livestock Exchange, awaiting further developments in this contentious issue.

Originally Posted By The Los Angeles Times