Wild Horse Advocates Challenge Utah Ranchers' Lawsuit

Wild horse advocates are taking a stand against a lawsuit filed by Utah ranchers, which seeks the removal of wild horses from public lands. The advocates argue that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has not determined there are excess wild horses, and thus, there is no obligation to remove them.

In a recent filing in U.S. District Court, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign), The Cloud Foundation, Return to Freedom, and two individuals have requested the dismissal of the lawsuit. They argue that the BLM has not found an excess of wild horses and is not required to remove them even if there are too many.

Among the advocates are Utah photographer John Steele and Lisa Friday, a wild horse adopter. They are challenging the Western Rangeland Conservation Association and 12 ranchers from southwestern and central Utah.

The ranchers, supported by Iron and Beaver counties, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, and the national Public Lands Council, filed the lawsuit against the BLM last April. They seek a court order for the BLM to manage the increasing number of wild horses sharing the range with their livestock.

The lawsuit claims that the BLM has not adhered to the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 by failing to control wild horse populations on BLM rangeland, as well as on private and state lands.

The ranchers argue that ranges are deteriorating due to competition among wildlife, horses, and livestock for limited resources such as grasses, brush, and water.

In contrast, horse advocates assert that the plaintiffs' claims are merely attempts to prioritize their private grazing interests over the public's interest in preserving wild horses on public lands.

BLM attorneys have responded to the lawsuit, citing laws, rules, and environmental documents as reasons against the immediate removal of wild horses. The agency also denied that any range damage was caused by excess wild horses.

The case is currently assigned to Judge Dee Benson.

Originally reported by the Salt Lake Tribune.