Arizona Governor Signs Bill to Protect Salt River Wild Horses
On May 12, 2016, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2340 into law, making it illegal to take, harass, kill, or otherwise interfere with the popular herd of wild horses that roam freely along the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix.
Christine Antaya, a volunteer with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, a nonprofit advocating for the herd, celebrated the signing with arms raised in victory outside the Arizona State Capitol. "It's done! It's signed!" she exclaimed, as fellow volunteers cheered.
"I'm ecstatic," Antaya said. "There is still a lot of work to be done. But this is the baseline. They are now protected." The volunteers, some on horseback, celebrated by waving flags and dancing to Kool & the Gang's "Celebration."
The movement to save the horses began on July 31, 2015, when the U.S. Forest Service announced plans to round up and auction the horses due to safety concerns. Thousands of Arizonans rallied, marched, and contacted the Forest Service to advocate for the horses.
Although wild horses are protected under the federal Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, the Forest Service did not recognize the Salt River herd as wild, classifying them as escaped livestock. State Representative Kelly Townsend (R-Mesa) introduced H.B. 2340 after federal efforts failed, aiming to protect the horses from harassment.
The law allows the state to collaborate with the U.S. Forest Service and nonprofits like the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group to address issues such as population control and highway safety. "We don't need to micromanage the horses," Townsend stated. "They've been out there since before we were a state. They pretty much manage themselves."
Simone Netherlands, president of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with the Forest Service. "Clearly, the horses are not out of the woods yet," she said, but she remains hopeful.
The bill's signing was particularly meaningful for Keith Cutler, a retired soldier who enjoyed visiting the horses with his late father. "It means a lot to me to know they are safe," Cutler shared.
For many, like Tammy Richy and Ron Robertson, the protection of the Salt River wild horses is a significant step forward. "This is a great step in a great direction," Robertson said. "Hopefully it's enough."