Tell Nevada Governor to Stop Selling Mustangs at Slaughter Auction

Yesterday, an Associated Press report revealed that Nevada state officials -- including Governor Brian Sandoval (pictured at left) -- have discussed slaughtering wild horses and establishing a horse slaughter plant in Nevada. 

Next Wednesday, 41 wild horses who were captured by the state, from the Virginia Range near Reno, will be put up for bid at a livestock auction frequented by kill buyers. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of AWHPC supporters, local advocates and rescue groups now have the funds necessary to purchase these horses and save them from slaughter. Stay tuned next week for a full report on the extraordinary rescue of these beautiful wild horses. 

Meanwhile, it is time to hold Governor Sandoval accountable for his state's heartless wild horse policy. Take action below to tell the Governor to stop capturing and selling his state's wild horses at livestock auctions and start working with local rescue groups to protect these historic animals and save tax dollars. 

News

Roundup Update: Owyhee Complex Roundup Resumes

Today the BLM resumed the largest winter roundup in the Owyhee Complex in northern Nevada. This roundup is taking place in subfreezing temperatures and observers have documented brutal treatment of wild horses, including driving horses through barbed wire, stampeding tiny foals, and electroshocking wild horses with "hotshots" while loading them onto trailers. 

To date, the BLM has captured and removed 817 mustangs from the Complex. At least 9 horses have died as a result of the roundup.  The agency aims to capture 186 wild horses during this final phase of the roundup; 47 horses will be permanently removed from their home on the range. The remaining wild horses will be released, with some mares treated with PZP-22 fertility control. 

Utah's Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA) Roundup to Begin Next Week

On Monday, January 7, the BLM is scheduled to begin a roundup in Utah's Swasey HMA, located 30 miles west of Delta, UT in the Swasey Mountains. The agency is targeting 262 wild horses for capture; 164 will be permanently removed. The remainder of the horses will be released back to the range after 49 mares are treated with the PZP-22 fertility control vaccine. 

On October 31, 2012, AWHPC visited the Swasey HMA and came upon the beautiful stallion at left galloping frantically along a fence line after a gate had been closed, separating him from his family. We helped him with an opening and he was reunited with his family. The following day, ranchers turned out thousands of sheep in this designated wild horse habitat zone. As in other areas, the BLM allocates the majority of forage and water resources in the Swasey HMA to privately owned livestock instead of to federally-protected wild horses.

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