Is the U.S. Government Complicit in the Killing of Over a Thousand Wild Horses?

January 30, 2013

AWHC Contributor

Is the U.S. Government Complicit in the Killing of Over a Thousand Wild Horses? This pressing question arises as lawmakers demand answers regarding the fate of 1,700 federally protected wild horses. Allegations suggest these horses may have been sold to a middleman who transported them to Mexico for slaughter, sparking a significant public outcry.

Lawmakers Demand Answers

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers, Reps. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., are urging Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to address concerns about the potential sale of these mustangs to a "kill buyer." Their letter, circulated among other lawmakers, highlights the lack of response from the department to these serious allegations.

“It is our understanding that this investigation is ongoing,” the letter states, referring to an inquiry by Interior’s Office of Inspector General.

Adam Sarvana, a spokesman for Grijalva, emphasized the urgency for Salazar to provide answers before his departure from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, Tom Gorey, a Bureau of Land Management spokesman, stated that the inspector general has not yet released its findings.

ProPublica Report Sparks Outcry

The lawmakers' letter references a ProPublica report indicating that the Bureau of Land Management sold over 1,700 mustangs to Tom Davis, a Colorado livestock hauler. Despite Davis's alleged connections to Salazar, the Interior Department denies any recollection of business dealings with him.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) delivered 25,130 signatures to the Interior Department, reflecting widespread concern over the horses' fate.

BLM's Role and New Policies

The Bureau of Land Management oversees approximately 31,500 wild horses and 5,800 wild burros on federally managed lands. Due to their growing populations, the bureau removes thousands of animals annually. Despite the Burns Amendment allowing sales, the bureau insists it has not knowingly sold horses for slaughter.

In January, the BLM introduced new policies to ensure humane treatment, limiting purchases and requiring detailed plans for the animals' care post-sale.