State Oversight Leaves Wild Horse Buyer Uncharged
Two state agencies failed to prosecute a southern Colorado wild horse buyer who admitted to breaking state laws while shipping hundreds of federally protected wild horses. The buyer, Tom Davis of La Jara, has not been charged nor investigated. The two state agencies involved blame each other, citing “confusion” and “a disconnect” about who should lead an investigation.
A ProPublica report published in The Gazette detailed how Davis, a proponent of horse slaughter, purchased truckloads of wild horses from the Bureau of Land Management. Davis claimed he shipped the horses to “good homes” across the country, but none have been accounted for. Wild horse advocates believe they were illegally sent to slaughter, a claim Davis denies.
Colorado law mandates a state brand inspection when livestock is sold or shipped more than 75 miles. Brand records show Davis received over 1,700 horses from the BLM but shipped only 765. None of the horses remain in his possession, indicating nearly 1,000 were shipped or sold without an inspection.
Davis admitted to ProPublica that he avoided brand inspections to conceal the horses' destinations. When informed this was illegal, Davis responded, “Since when is anything in this country done legal?”
Each violation of the brand law is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Following the report, the Department of Interior and the Colorado brand inspection office announced an investigation into Davis.
“The brand laws are some of the oldest laws in the state,” Brand Commissioner Chris Whitney stated. “They are there to prevent livestock theft, and we take them very seriously.” Whitney spoke to Davis in October, who admitted to violating brand laws.
Whitney contacted the 12th Judicial District Attorney, David Mahonee, in November to brief him on the case. He sent a formal letter stating Davis admitted to violating the law and that “an investigation is warranted,” but the brand inspection office was not equipped to conduct it.
Since then, no investigation has been launched. The Gazette reached out to officials this week regarding the issue.
Whitney expressed surprise that the case was dropped, as Mahonee had indicated he would refer the matter to the local Sheriff’s office. Mahonee clarified that it is not the D.A.’s role to initiate investigations and that Whitney needed to involve a law enforcement agency.
“That’s the disconnect,” Mahonee explained. “There is no evidence, just a letter indicating something is amiss.”
The Department of Interior's investigation is ongoing, with no details provided by a spokesman.
The brand commissioner vowed to address the oversight, stating that if the D.A. would not involve the sheriff, he would ensure an investigation proceeds.
“Somewhere there is confusion,” Whitney acknowledged. “But clearly, an investigation needs to be done.”
Originally Posted By The Gazette