Sale of Horses from Nevada Wildlife Refuge Proceeds Despite Concerns
RENO, Nev.— The U.S. government has been granted permission to proceed with the sale of over 400 mustangs from a national wildlife refuge to a private contractor. This decision comes despite concerns from critics about the contractor's history of reselling horses for slaughter.
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du declined to issue an emergency order to block the sale, citing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's tightened restrictions on the Mississippi contractor. The contractor has been unable to account for the whereabouts of more than half of the 262 horses purchased from the agency since 2010.
Judge Du has allowed horse advocates another opportunity to demonstrate the historical and cultural significance of the horses from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge on the Nevada-Oregon line. A hearing is set for October 10, where advocates will argue that their First Amendment rights have been violated due to restricted public access to the holding facility where the horses are kept.
Despite these proceedings, Judge Du will not prevent the agency from proceeding with the planned shipment of horses to contractors, including J&S Associates of Pelahatchie, Mississippi. She believes that agency officials have made reasonable efforts to prevent the horses from being sent to slaughter.
The Fish and Wildlife Service initiated an investigation into J&S Associates last year following a complaint from California horse advocate Bonnie Kohleriter. However, officials found no evidence that horses were knowingly transferred for slaughter.
Gordon Cowan, representing Kohleriter and Laura Leigh of Wild Horse Education, argued that the agency is unaware of the fate of more than half of the animals. He stated, "The bulk of them disappeared. The government would admit today they don't know where they are."
The agency reported that 112 of the 262 horses received by J&S from 2010-12 were placed with suitable adopters. However, the fate of 82 horses placed with one adopter remains uncertain, with some being sold by the adopter.
J&S did not provide documentation for 65 horses, which are believed to be held on pastures owned by private individuals in Mississippi. The original contract terms did not require detailed disposition information, but new rules now mandate additional screening and complete reporting of horse disposition data.
Stan Palmer of J&S Associates expressed concern that the new reporting requirements might discourage adoptions. He stated, "To my knowledge, that hasn't happened," regarding horses ending up at slaughterhouses. Palmer noted that the contract did not require information on the people who received the horses from him, aiming to protect their privacy.
Palmer added, "The advocacy groups have gotten so bad at harassing and haranguing these people. I was trying to avoid them having to go through that if it wasn't necessary."
Originally Posted By Associated Press