Judge Halts Horse Roundup Amid Abuse Allegations
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from rounding up wild mustangs in Nevada. This decision follows allegations from horse protection advocates who presented video footage showing wranglers allegedly abusing mustangs with electric prods, violating agency policy.
Background of the Case
The group that secured the emergency restraining order, Wild Horse Education, previously convinced a different judge in August 2011 to halt the Triple B roundup in Nevada. In that instance, they presented footage depicting inhumane treatment, including a helicopter bumping an uncooperative horse.
Current Allegations
Wild Horse Education now accuses the BLM and its contractors of inhumane treatment of dozens of horses since the Owyhee roundup began in November near the Idaho line, about 70 miles northwest of Elko.
Judicial Response
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du issued the temporary restraining order, scheduling a hearing in Las Vegas for both sides to present their arguments. She justified halting the roundup based on evidence, including video shot by Laura Leigh, president of Wild Horse Education.
"The public interest is served when actions are taken to prohibit inhumane treatment of wild horses," Du wrote.
Gordon Cowan, a Reno lawyer for the advocacy group, emphasized that Du’s order underscores the significant public interest in protecting America’s wild horses from inhumane conduct.
Video Evidence
According to the group, the video presented to Du shows BLM contractors using electric prods, or "hot shots," to move mustangs through loading chutes.
"It’s a hot-shot fest," said Leigh, who posted the footage on YouTube. "Over and over and over again, the horses are hot shot."
BLM's Position
BLM spokeswoman Heather Emmons stated that the agency would not comment due to active litigation. However, the agency previously noted on its website that electric prods were used as a last resort during the November 30 roundup, within pre-established guidelines.
The agency explained that the contractor had attempted various methods to load the wild horses, including voice commands and flags, before resorting to electric prods to avoid human injury.
Past Incidents and Reforms
Similar footage from a 2011 Nevada roundup prompted BLM Director Bob Abbey to order additional training for roundup workers and contractors. Abbey emphasized that aggressive handling of wild horses is unacceptable and outlined new safeguards, noting that electric prods should only be used as a last resort for safety reasons and never on a horse’s head.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Leigh argues that the BLM is violating the Free-Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act by not proving that the land cannot sustain the current horse population without ecological damage.
"It really does seem insane to have to fight for a humane-care standard with an agency tasked by Congress to manage animals humanely," Leigh said.
Leigh has faced restricted access at the Owyhee roundup site but has managed to capture footage using sophisticated cameras. She previously won a favorable ruling from the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals regarding media access to roundups, a case that is still pending.
Originally Posted By The Associated Press