Inspector General Report Confirms Mass Slaughter of Wild Horses Under Ken Salazar

The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior has released a damning report on the Bureau of Land Management's mismanagement of wild horses. The report reveals that agency officials failed to prevent a notorious livestock hauler from acquiring nearly 1,800 wild horses and burros over four years, which were then handed over to kill buyers for slaughter in Mexico. This occurred during the tenure of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who has faced criticism for his oversight of the wild horse program.

Mismanagement and Lack of Oversight

The report highlights the actions of Tom Davis, a Colorado hauler with alleged connections to Salazar, who began collecting horses from the BLM after Salazar took office. The BLM's practices have long been scrutinized, with The Fund for Animals previously identifying issues with horses being sold at low prices to transporters and kill buyers. In response, the BLM reformed its adoption program, limiting individuals to adopting no more than four horses and burros.

Efforts to Prevent Slaughter

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has worked to secure language in Interior spending bills to prevent wild horses from being sent to slaughter. Despite these efforts, the BLM's wild horse program continues to face challenges, with nearly 50,000 wild horses and burros currently held in facilities, consuming a significant portion of the agency's budget.

Advocacy for Fertility Control

The HSUS advocates for the use of the fertility control vaccine PZP to manage wild horse populations on the range, reducing the need for costly and inhumane round-ups. The National Academy of Sciences has also recommended the use of PZP to limit fertility.

Call for Change

The OIG report underscores the risks posed by round-ups and the need for proper oversight of buyers. In 2012, a reporter questioned Salazar about his association with Davis, leading to a controversial response from the Secretary. The wrongful sale of horses cost taxpayers $140,000, while Davis profited significantly from their slaughter.

With Salazar no longer in office, it is now up to Secretary Sally Jewell to reform the program, reduce round-ups, and implement fertility control measures. The agency must embrace change to prevent further scandals and ensure the protection of wild horses.

Originally Posted By HSUS