Arizona Congressman Clarifies His Stand Against Horse Slaughter

Breaking news: Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) has clarified in a letter to the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) and the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group that he does not support horse slaughter. His letter states: “Let me be clear about my position. I do not support horse slaughter.”

We appreciate his quick response to our concerns and the concerns of his constituents about his remarks at this week’s House Natural Resources Committee oversight hearing on the BLM wild horse and burro program. At the oversight hearing, Rep. Gosar referred to an “unnecessary appropriations rider” that was preventing BLM from doing its job. Since the only appropriations rider relating to wild horse management is the one that prohibits the destruction of healthy wild horses and burros as well as their sale for slaughter, we were very concerned that Rep. Gosar was advocating to remove the slaughter prohibition. After contacting his office for clarification, he sent us this letter, which he has also posted online and asked us to share.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) and the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group thank Rep. Gosar for his stance against horse slaughter! We look forward to meeting with him to discuss humane management strategies for wild horses and burros.