#StopThemSally Campaign Launched to Halt Cruel Wild Horse Sterilization Experiments

American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) has launched the #StopThemSally social media campaign to urge U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to halt planned wild horse sterilization experiments in Oregon. These experiments, deemed barbaric by many, involve invasive procedures on wild mares.

Campaign Launch and Objectives

On August 23, 2016, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) initiated the #StopThemSally campaign. This movement seeks to prevent the U.S. Interior Department from conducting invasive sterilization experiments on wild mares in Oregon. The campaign is a response to a previous social media effort that sparked significant public outcry.

The AWHC released a video highlighting the invasive nature of these experiments, which are planned in collaboration with Oregon State University (OSU) at the Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon.

Concerns Over Sterilization Procedures

Suzanne Roy, Executive Director of AWHC, criticized the planned sterilization, stating, “What the BLM wants to do to our wild horses is far different than ‘spaying’ domestic animals.” The procedure involves surgically removing the ovaries of wild mares, a method described as ‘archaic’ and ‘barbaric’ by veterinarians and discouraged by the National Academy of Sciences.

“We challenge Secretary Jewell to watch the video, if she is able to stomach it, and implement true reform of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program.”

Appeal to Secretary Jewell

AWHC and its supporters urge Secretary Jewell to:

• Halt the unnecessary surgical sterilization experiments on 200 wild mares at the Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon.
• Ensure public observation rights for these experiments, should they proceed.
• Reform the Wild Horse and Burro Program by increasing humane fertility control and adjusting population limits based on scientific rationale.

Last week, AWHC and the Cloud Foundation filed a lawsuit to secure their First Amendment right to observe the planned sterilizations. The BLM has denied requests to video-document these experiments.

Social Media Campaign

The #StopThemSally campaign is active on AWHC’s Facebook page and Twitter profile, aiming to support the appeal for reform of the Wild Horse and Burro Program.

Originally posted by EIN News