Wildlife Group and Cattle Company Join Federal Wild Horse Lawsuit

Two more entities have joined a federal lawsuit concerning wild horse policy, demanding the government round up and remove excess horses. Nevada Bighorns Unlimited and Crawford Cattle are now listed as plaintiffs, alongside the Nevada Association of Counties and the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, who initially filed the suit in December.

The plaintiffs allege that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is not adhering to the law by allowing wild horse populations to exceed the agency-identified carrying capacities. They argue this results in damage to the land, wildlife, and the horses themselves.

“First and foremost, Defendants’ failures to properly follow the law have gravely harmed, and will continue to gravely injure the very animals that the (Wild Horse and Burro) Act was established to protect,” the complaint states.

Bighorns Unlimited did not immediately return a call for comment. The number of participants in the suit continues to expand. Two separate horse advocates successfully intervened as defendants earlier this year and filed a motion to dismiss in May.

Advocates believe the lawsuit is an attempt to allow for the sale of horses for slaughter and argue that the agency should use fertility-control methods to manage herd populations. In response to the allegations, the BLM stated it was strapped for funds and holding space. The agency recently announced it would gather fewer horses across the West this summer due to budget restrictions and lack of pens, according to The Associated Press.

Government attorneys have asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit for legal reasons. The plaintiffs have until August 15 to respond. The Elko County Commission has pledged up to $10,000 to help fund the legal action, which NACO president Jeff Fontaine said in February could exceed $90,000.

Bighorns Unlimited is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and sustaining wildlife for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. Crawford is a for-profit livestock operation located near Winnemucca. In the lawsuit, the ranching company claimed its predecessor informed the BLM that wild horses had damaged land, including private parcels, and consumed private water and feed.

Originally Posted By Elko Daily