After wild horse advocates accused the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of being compliant in adopted horses being sold for slaughter, the bureau has pledged to investigate its Adoption Incentive Program.
A New York Times story released in mid-May turned heads when it detailed accounts of horse adopters selling their recently adopted animals at auction to be sold for slaughter. BLM denied the allegations, asserting that adopters sign documents promising not to resell horses to auctions for slaughter.
Under BLM’s Adoption Incentive Program, adopters have the opportunity to earn up to $1,000 after adopting a wild horse or burro. The adopter receives $500 within 60 days of the adoption date and an additional $500 within 60 days of titling the animal.
Wild horse advocacy groups, including the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC), claimed they had documented at least 18 incidences where adopted horses ended up at auctions with known “kill buyers” present. In mid-June, advocacy group Friends of Animals filed a lawsuit to suspend BLM’s adoption program.
Another suit to halt the program was filed July 2 by the AWHC, Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary, Evanescent Mustang Rescue and a wildlife photographer.
“Since BLM created the [Adoption Incentive Program], Plaintiffs—a collection of non-profit organizations and individuals devoted to the welfare of wild horses and burros—have been forced to expend scarce resources investigating the fates of animals adopted through BLM’s Program and attempting to prevent dire outcomes for these animals,” the suit read.
The lawsuit followed shortly after letters were sent by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and more than 30 other members of Congress, calling for the program to be suspended and an investigation to be conducted. A June 30 petition by the horse advocates asked the Department of the Interior to terminate the program or stop payments while the program was investigated. The groups said the BLM submitted a very general answer to the petition.
In response, Brieanah Schwartz, director of policy and litigation for AWHC, said, “The Department has failed to suspend the program and conduct a meaningful investigation, so we are stepping in to uphold the Congressional ban on slaughtering these federally-protected animals by asking a federal court to stop this fraudulent program.”
BLM finally acknowledged the allegations in a recent two-day hearing of BLM’s National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, according to a report by E&E News. Nada Culver, BLM deputy director of policy and programs, said the bureau was working to identify specific instances of animals being sold to slaughter.
“We are aware of the concerns of many in the public about the welfare of adopted wild horses and burros,” Culver said. “And I wanted to tell you all that the BLM takes these allegations, and any allegations of violations of the law and regulations governing the placement of federally protected wild horses and burros into private care, very seriously.”
BLM has stated on their website that “BLM does not have the means or legal authority to track or direct the disposition of wild horses or burros once they pass into private ownership.”
The bureau added, “It is important to note that BLM does not and cannot assume that any or every titled or sold wild horse or burro that arrives at a sale barn is destined for slaughter. Indeed, many such animals are acquired from sale barns by equine welfare organizations or by private individuals.”
At the hearing, Barry Perryman, a member of the advisory board, asked Culver whether BLM has received specific information about animals ending up in slaughter channels.
In response, Culver said, “It’s certainly not something we’re allowed to do legally to have horses sent to slaughter. We are investigating this situation. I can’t speak to every single piece of information we’ve received. Certainly, we would welcome more information.”
She later said that BLM was planning on putting extra measures in place “that we think will benefit adopted animals and reflect our goal to place animals into good homes.” It is uncertain when BLM’s internal investigation will be completed.
As of March 2020, BLM estimated there are around 95,000 wild horses and burros on federal rangelands—about four times more than the appropriate management level. President Joe Biden’s proposed fiscal 2022 budget requests an increase in funding for BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro program from $115 million to $152 million.
“Our overarching goal is always to manage and protect healthy wild horses and burros on a healthy public rangeland. And to do that through a combination of management actions to achieve a balance and sustainable herd sizes,” Culver said. — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
