Nevada Wild Horse Roundup Canceled Amid Controversy and Slaughter Concerns

The U.S. Forest Service recently canceled a planned roundup of wild horses in northern Nevada. This decision came after horse advocates exposed the operation, accusing the government of attempting a covert effort to send the horses to a slaughter auction. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between federal agencies and horse protection groups.

The U.S. Forest Service had scheduled the roundup for Friday, but it was called off after horse advocates threatened legal action and media outlets, including The Washington Times, raised questions. The agency stated that the postponement was to allow for better coordination.

Activists accused the Forest Service of failing to provide proper public notice and using an agreement with an Indian tribe to obscure the true intentions of the roundup. They feared the horses would be sent to slaughter, violating federal laws protecting wild horses.

“This is great news,” said Suzanne Roy, director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), which was among the groups threatening to sue. “We knew from the start this was a dirty deal that obviously couldn’t survive the light of day. We’re glad it was postponed and now we’d like to hold Secretary Vilsack to his word about needing a better way to manage horses other than to send them to slaughter.”

The Forest Service had planned to remove 400 horses from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to transfer them to the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe. The agency claimed the removal was necessary to prevent damage to the rangeland ecosystem and to return the animals to their owners.

On its website, the Forest Service states that its preferred solution to wild horse overpopulation is adoption by private citizens. Horses that are not adoptable are sent to federally funded sanctuaries or long-term holding facilities in Oklahoma and Kansas.

Activists, however, pointed to a special auction notice advertising the sale of horses from the Fort McDermitt reservation, which they claimed was frequented by slaughter buyers.

Deniz Bolbol, communications director for the group, criticized the Forest Service for not providing the required notice to interested parties and for canceling public observation points near the capture areas.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack and his department are navigating the complex issue of horse meat slaughter. Although horse meat production was effectively banned in 2006, Congress lifted the ban two years ago, restoring funding for inspections. However, a federal judge has temporarily halted plans for slaughterhouses in Iowa and New Mexico.

Originally Posted By The Washington Times