Salt River Wild Horse Act Becomes Law

Salt RiverWild Horse ManagementGroup Commends State & Feds for Signing MOU to Protect theSalt River Wild Horses

Salt River Wild Horse Act Becomes Law

Phoenix, AZ...The Salt RiverWild Horse Managementand its national coalition partner, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), today commended Governor Doug Ducey and the U.S. Forest Service for reaching an agreement for the management of theSalt River Wild Horses. The agreement fulfills the conditional enactment clause of the Salt River Wild Horse Act, passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ducey in May 2016.

SRWHMG PresidentSimone Netherlandswill hold a press conference and photo opportunity with three recuperating rescued baby Salt River horses this afternoon:

What: Press Conference Re: Agreement to Protect Salt River Horses

When: Friday, December 29, 2017, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Red Mountain Stables, 32 N 82nd St, Mesa, AZ 85207

The agreement establishes a management structure and process to provide humane management for theSalt River wild horses, who reside in the Tonto National Forest. The agreement authorizes the state to partner with a non-profit organization to assist with management and care of theSalt River Wild Horses. The Salt RiverWild Horse ManagementGroup stands ready to provide that assistance and continue its long-standing role in caring for these majestic horses.

“Two years ago, theSalt River wild horseswere almost removed and slaughtered. Today is a great day. TheSalt River wild horsesare protected from harassment and slaughter. We are deeply grateful to Governor Doug Ducey for his compassion and dedication to protecting these cherished wild horses, to State Rep. Kelly Townsend for introducing the bill that made this agreement to protect the horses possible, and to the Forest Service for recognizing the public’s strong interest in protecting this historic and popular horse herd,” saidSimone Netherlands, President of the SRWHMG.

“The Salt RiverWild Horse ManagementGroup, with our 100 volunteers and daily presence on the Salt River, is ready to roll up our sleeves and enter into an agreement with the state to continue our management of this wild horse herd that people from all over the world travel to see,” Netherlands continued. “We are grateful for the enormous public support for our work, which has included the rescue and treatment of seriously injuredSalt River wild horses, fixing miles of fencing to keep horses out of roadways and education/outreach activities to keep the public and the horses safe.”

“On behalf of our 600,000 supporters and followers, we thank Governor Ducey for his commitment to protecting theSalt River Wild Horsesand ensuring their humane management,” said Suzanne Roy, AWHC Executive Director. “We look forward to supporting our wonderful coalition partner, the Salt RiverWild Horse ManagementGroup, with the implementation of an effective program to protect and humanely manage the magnificentSalt River wild horses.”

Two years ago, the Forest Service announced its intent to remove and “dispose of” theSalt River wild horses. The Salt RiverWild Horse ManagementGroup, assisted by AWHC, swiftly coordinated rallies and ignited a public outcry so large that it changed the fate of these beloved and majestic animals. Subsequently, the groups negotiated and fought for passage of legislation for the horses’ protection. The legislation will now go into effect on January 1st, 2018.

The Salt RiverWild Horse ManagementGroupis an Arizona non-profit organization (501 c3) dedicated to protect, monitor and study theSalt River wild horses.

TheAmerican Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign)is dedicated to preserving American wild horses and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. Its grassroots mission is endorsed by a coalition of more than 60 horse advocacy, humane and public interest organizations.

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