Is the U.S. Government Complicit in the Killing of Over a Thousand Wild Horses?

Is the U.S. Government Complicit in the Killing of Over a Thousand Wild Horses?This pressing question arises as lawmakers demand answers regarding the fate of 1,700 federally protected wild horses. Allegations suggest these horses may have been sold to a middleman who transported them to Mexico for slaughter, sparking a significant public outcry.

Lawmakers Demand Answers

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers, Reps. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., are urging Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to address concerns about the potential sale of thesemustangsto a "kill buyer." Their letter, circulated among other lawmakers, highlights the lack of response from the department to these serious allegations.

Adam Sarvana, a spokesman for Grijalva, emphasized the urgency for Salazar to provide answers before his departure from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, Tom Gorey, a Bureau of Land Management spokesman, stated that the inspector general has not yet released its findings.

ProPublica Report Sparks Outcry

The lawmakers' letter references a ProPublica report indicating that the Bureau of Land Management sold over 1,700mustangsto Tom Davis, a Coloradolivestockhauler. Despite Davis's alleged connections to Salazar, the Interior Department denies any recollection of business dealings with him.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) delivered 25,130 signatures to the Interior Department, reflecting widespread concern over the horses' fate.

BLM's Role and New Policies

The Bureau of Land Management oversees approximately 31,500 wild horses and 5,800wild burroson federally managed lands. Due to their growing populations, the bureau removes thousands of animals annually. Despite the Burns Amendment allowing sales, the bureau insists it has not knowingly sold horses for slaughter.

In January, the BLM introduced new policies to ensure humane treatment, limiting purchases and requiring detailed plans for the animals' care post-sale.

Unanswered Questions

Despite these measures, the fate of the 1,700 horses sold to Davis remains unclear, fueling concerns among animal welfare activists.

Originally Posted By The National Journal