Animal Rights Group Challenges Army Over Wild Horse Roundups
NEW ORLEANS – Animal rights advocates are urging a federal court to intervene and halt the Army's roundup of feral horses at Fort Polk in western Louisiana. The advocates argue that the horses are being treated poorly and face potential slaughter.
The Pegasus Equine Guardian Association has filed court papers requesting a preliminary injunction, claiming that some captured horses are mistreated and many may be slaughtered. They allege that potential adopters are being unfairly removed from the adoption list, increasing the risk of 'kill buyers' acquiring the horses.
Justice Department spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle stated that the department cannot comment on pending litigation. A hearing is scheduled for January 30 in Lake Charles, presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay.
The association sued the Army and Fort Polk's commanding officer in December 2016 over plans to remove approximately 700 'trespass horses' deemed a safety risk in training areas. Most of these horses roam about 48,000 acres in the Kisatchie National Forest, part of the 90,000 acres used by the base for training, according to U.S. Forest Service spokesman Jim Caldwell.
The Army maintains lists of tax-exempt rescue groups and individuals interested in adopting the horses. Their plan involves notifying these groups after roundups of up to 30 horses. Rescue groups unable to take all horses from a roundup are removed from the list, as are individuals who fail to pick up their committed number of horses within five days.
The horses have been present for decades, possibly over a century, with some speculating they descend from Army cavalry horses. However, court filings assert the horses have roamed the area since at least the early 1800s, predating Fort Polk's founding in 1941.
Some horses may be descendants of those acquired by Choctaw Indians from Spanish colonists, as noted in a letter from Jeannette Beranger of The Livestock Conservancy. Phillip Sponenberg, a professor at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, suggests DNA tests for horses from isolated areas to determine if they are 'Choctaw horses' or similar strains, which would be valuable for conservation.
Jeff Dorson of the Humane Society of Louisiana reported receiving complaints about inhumane treatment of the horses, including inadequate food and water, and inhumane roundup techniques. Pegasus has also received allegations of contractors favoring 'kill buyers' over humane adopters.
One contractor, Jacob Thompson, has faced legal issues with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and other states for livestock-related violations. He was recently fined for several regulatory breaches. Thompson Horse Lot, his only state-licensed business, is located near Fort Polk.
When contacted, a man answering the phone at Thompson Horse Lot declined to comment, stating, 'We're not interested in no press.'
Originally posted by Fox News