Buyer of Wild Horses Under Investigation by State and Federal Authorities

Tom Davis, a livestock hauler from southern Colorado, is under investigation for his handling of protected wild horses. He admitted to state regulators that he shipped animals out of Colorado in violation of brand inspection laws. The Colorado Department of Agriculture's Brand Inspection Division has referred the case to the district attorney in Alamosa for prosecution.

Background on the Investigation

Davis, 64, has purchased over 1,700 wild horses from the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) since 2008, which is about 70% of all horses sold by the agency. He signed agreements with the BLM, promising not to sell any horses for slaughter. However, an investigation by ProPublica revealed that Davis had brand inspection documents for 765 horses shipped to Texas towns near the Mexican border, with no information on the disposition of the other horses.

Concerns and Legal Implications

Animal welfare advocates fear the mustangs purchased by Davis were exported to Mexican slaughter plants. Selling wild horses for slaughter is illegal, and the ProPublica report prompted the Colorado Department of Agriculture to investigate. Brand Commissioner Chris Whitney stated that Davis was candid about illegally shipping horses without the required inspections, leading to the recommendation for prosecution.

If convicted, Davis could face penalties ranging from fines to prison time, depending on the number of violations. The case is being handled by Colorado's 12th Judicial District Attorney, David Mahoney.

Federal Investigation

Davis is also the subject of a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Inspector General. The investigation was initially opened by the BLM's law enforcement division. Wild horse advocates argue that the investigation should also examine the actions of the BLM and the Department of Interior, as they believe the BLM should have been aware of the potential for slaughter given the volume of horses sold to Davis.

BLM's Role and Oversight

The BLM rounds up thousands of wild horses each year to maintain population levels and encourages public adoption. However, most horses are not adopted and are placed in government-funded feedlots and pastures. The BLM's wild horse budget is largely consumed by this system, which is at capacity. Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request show BLM staff encouraged Davis to purchase horses to alleviate the burden on government care.

Davis, a proponent of the horse slaughter industry, has been vague about his plans for the horses, suggesting uses such as movie extras or grazing on oil fields. The BLM did not verify his claims, and when concerns were raised, the sale program director assured advocates of Davis' long-standing relationship with the agency.

Calls for Accountability

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) is calling for a congressional oversight hearing on the BLM's management of the wild horse program. Suzanne Roy, the group's director, emphasized the need for accountability from both Davis and the BLM.