Advocates Deliver 300,000-Signature Petition to Sen. Flake Against Wild Horse Slaughter

Advocates for Arizona's wild horses have taken a significant step in their fight against the mass killing of federally protected horses and burros. On Wednesday, they delivered a 300,000-signature petition to Sen. Jeff Flake's office in Phoenix, urging him to oppose the Bureau of Land Management's 2018 budget proposal.

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, in partnership with the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), is leading the charge against this financial plan. The proposal seeks congressional approval to allow the killing and sale of wild horses and burros for slaughter. The Senate is set to review the BLM's 2018 budget this month.

Sen. Flake, known for his support of the Salt River wild horses, serves on the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "There is an amendment, called the Stewart Amendment in a 2018 appropriations bill, and that amendment will allow for the killing and slaughter of healthy, American wild horses," says Simone Netherlands, president of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group and spokeswoman for the American Wild Horse Conservation.

The Stewart Amendment, introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), proposes giving states and Indian Tribes the option to manage wild horses and burros. Stewart argues that each state faces unique challenges with these populations and should have the autonomy to manage their wildlife.

"There are legislators that want to push that agenda through, and they are claiming that wild horses are starving which is absolutely absurd. They are claiming that there is an overpopulation of wild horses, which is also not true, because we actually have very few of them left," Netherlands stated.

According to Netherlands, there are 60,000 wild horses in the country. She noted that when the bighorn sheep population was at the same number, they were considered a species of concern.

However, the BLM reports over 72,000 wild horses on U.S. rangelands, which can sustain fewer than 27,000. Additionally, about 46,000 are in holding facilities.

The American Wild Horse Conservation has posted an informational graphic on their website detailing the BLM's interactions with wild animals.

Originally posted by AZ Family