Congress Members Condemn Federal Brutality Against Wild Horses

(WASHINGTON D.C., August 8, 2024)– Following therelease of footageshowing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contractors kicking and abusing a wild horse during a federal helicopter roundup, Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV), Steve Cohen (D-TN), and David Schweikert (R-AZ) called for increased transparency, scrutiny, and adherence toanimal welfarestandards during the helicopter roundups.

The incident, which occurred on July 26th, 2024, showed a wild horse contractor brutally and repeatedly kicking a wild horse after it was chased with a helicopter, roped, and eventually collapsed. The footage sparked outrage, and the Members ofCongressare joining a chorus of organizations and individuals calling for an investigation into the incident, including re-evaluating the relationship with the contractor involved.

“This disgusting act of abuse during the Blue Wing Complex roundup is both cruel and unacceptable, and in every way violatesBLM’s mandate to ‘humanely’ capture wild horses and burros. Forty-two horses have now perished during this massive gather operation under extreme heat, and more likely will follow under the agency’s dangerous roundup plan,” said Rep. Titus. “BLMmust seriously consider terminating the individuals involved in this incident and evaluate whether their chosen contractors have engaged in other harmful acts towards wild horses.”

“For years, I have been asking the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to hold its contractors accountable for any mistreatment of our federally protected wild horses. The incident recorded this week in the Blue Wing Horse Management Area is unconscionable,” said Rep. Cohen. “Unfortunately, it may exemplify the type of treatment the wild horses experience when cameras are not present, which may have contributed to the 42 wild horse deaths there in the last month. I imploreBLMto investigate the incident, the conditions at Blue Wing, and to seriously reconsider its relationship with any contractors involved in these travesties.”

“I continue to be disheartened by the reckless mistreatment of our nation’s beautiful wild horses. The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) mission clearly prioritizes ‘protecting the welfare of wild horses and burros,’” said Rep. Schweikert. “Unfortunately, the behavior of theBLMand its contractors stands in sharp contrast, most recently evident in the Blue Wing roundup in Nevada that resulted in 42 unnecessary horse deaths and violation of their standards. It is the duty of theBLMto follow through with their commitment to prioritize animal safety to prevent such catastrophicevents.

“I look forward to continuing the bipartisan work with my colleagues to protect our wild horses,” he concluded.

TheBLMacknowledged the incident and the abuse by the contractor, stating in an August 2ndFacebook commentthat the agency “is taking any and all corrective action necessary to ensureanimal welfarein the future.” And that “the contractor re-assigned the contract employee and is requiring re-training inanimal welfare.”

AWHC welcomes the acknowledgement of wrongdoing by theBLM, but maintains that the conduct shown by the contractor rises to thelevel of criminal misconductand must be investigated as such.

AWHC is currently pursuing action through the office of the Inspector General and is filing an official complaint regarding the abuse incident.

“Reassigning the contractor is merely putting a bandaid on a gaping wound. As long as theBLMpermits such actions to continue without strong consequences, we will see an increase in abuse cases duringroundups,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of AWHC. “This is a dark mark on the agency. The line must be drawn and decisive action must be taken to protect our nation’s wild herds.”

TheBlue Wing Complex roundupconcluded on August 1st as the deadliest roundup this year so far, with 42 deaths, many of them from traumatic causes. The roundup accounts for a mere 12% of the horses captured thus far in FY24, but represents a shocking 24% of the deaths.

About American Wild Horse Conservation:

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is the nation’s leading nonprofit wild horse conservation organization, with more than 700,000 supporters and followers nationwide. AWHC is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. In addition to advocating for the protection and preservation of America’s wild herds, AWHC implements the largest wild horse fertility control program in the world through a partnership with the State of Nevada for wild horses that live in the Virginia Range near Reno.

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