BLM Records Reveal Suspect Use of Euthanasia During NV Roundup
In October 2018, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) submitted a FOIA request to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada Field Office. The request sought all documents related to horses euthanized or deceased during the 2018 Owyhee Complex Roundup. This roundup was controversially labeled as an emergency due to fires in the area, despite evidence suggesting the horses were healthy and the roundup unnecessary.
Questionable Euthanasia Practices
The BLM's response to the FOIA request revealed troubling details. Horses were euthanized for conditions like hoof deformities and angular limb deformities, which are often non-life-threatening. For instance, an aged stallion with a hoof deformity was euthanized despite having lived successfully in the wild for years.
Two foals were also euthanized for conditions that many domestic horses live with, such as umbilical hernias and limb deformities. The BLM's justification for these actions raises concerns about the criteria used for euthanasia.
Vision Impairments and Euthanasia
Horses with vision impairments, including those with one good eye, were also euthanized, contradicting BLM's own policies that allow such horses to be sale-eligible. In total, nine horses were euthanized for vision-related issues, despite some only having minor vision deficits.
Injuries During Roundup
There were instances where horses sustained injuries during the roundup process, leading to euthanasia. For example, a stallion was euthanized after injuring himself while resisting capture. Such incidents highlight the risks associated with the roundup process itself.
Call for Oversight
The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) is advocating for Congressional oversight of the wild horse and burro program. The organization continues to seek transparency and humane treatment for wild horses, urging supporters to contact their Congressional representatives to demand oversight and humane alternatives to roundups.
If you want to take action, call your Congressional representatives and ask for oversight on the wild horse and burro program. Politely inform them about the unnecessary deaths of horses and advocate for humane alternatives like PZP. Call (202) 224-3121 to be directed to your representatives.