A federal judge in Arizona on July 8 ruled to halt the roundup of free-roaming horses within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
The decision comes following a lawsuit and motion for a temporary restraining order from the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB), which has sought protection for Heber Wild Horse Territory horses within the forest for more than 20 years.
U.S. District Judge Krissa Lanham granted the organization a preliminary injunction for all horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. As such, federal agencies are enjoined from classifying horses as “unauthorized livestock,” “strays” or “feral” as opposed to federally protected wild-free roaming horses. Agencies are also unable to capture or remove unclaimed and unbranded horses within the forest.
In April, the U.S. Forest Service declared all horses in the forest as “unauthorized livestock” subject to removal and impoundment. ISPMB received a temporary restraining order in April against the roundup of horses through July 15 before Lanham granted a preliminary injunction in early July.
Adoption blitz
In relevant news, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently announced it is launching a horse and burro placement blitz beginning in late July. The campaign is in celebration of the Department of the Interior’s Day of the American West and America’s Freedom 250th anniversary, the agency said.
“This campaign highlights the enduring connection between America’s public lands and the wild horses and burros that symbolize the spirit of the West,” said BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Acting Division Chief Annie Ebbers.
Three in-person placement events will be held, along with a national online event. The in-person events are the following:
• Cheyenne, WY, from July 20-23.
• Lebanon, TN, from July 20-26.
• Clovis, NM, from July 24-25.
The national Online Corral adoption event will run from July 23-30. The agency also announced a curated “America’s Animals” online gallery that showcases 30 hand-selected wild horses available for pickup at select locations in California, Louisiana, Ohio, Nevada and South Carolina.
For more information, visit blm.gov/whb. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
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