August 08, 2011. Over 60 wild-horses adopted out by the BLM have been confiscated by the agency and the FBI from locations across Utah, after the agency believed they were bound for slaughter in Mexico. In a press release issued by the US Humane Society (HSUS), the society thanked both agencies for their swift intervention but blamed the BLM's lax adoption procedures for perpetuating the issue.
Three days ago, the Bureau of Land Management working in conjunction with the FBI, seized 47 BLM-branded horses at the port of entry at Helper, Utah, with another 17 equines being confiscated from the Willard area of Utah. BLM spokesman, Mitch Snow, said the seizures are part of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the government agency, along with state and local law enforcement and the US Attorney's office.
HSUS worried about horse smuggling
Authorities believe that the seized wild-horses were headed for meat processing plants in Mexico, something that has been an ongoing concern with animal welfare agencies for some time. In a statement released by HSUS, Holly Hazard, chief innovations officer, said that the society has long, "Been concerned that the large numbers of wild horses taken off the land in the past few years would lead to unscrupulous buyers."
Buyers are required to be free of animal cruelty violations and must sign a declaration that the animals will not be sent to slaughter. The adoption process is not fully completed until after one year, but the BLM is allowed to conduct on site inspections at any time during this probationary period.
Despite HSUS applauding the swift action taken by both government agencies in rescuing the horses, Hazard believes that buyers with less than honorable intentions are, "Taking advantage of the BLM’s lax adoption procedures and misrepresenting their intent to care for these magnificent animals.”
Horse slaughter exports to Mexico on the rise
"Since all three U.S. horse slaughter operations were ordered closed [in 2007]," says the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), "the number of horses exported to Mexico in 2008 for slaughter exploded," by a staggering, "312 percent." The Animal Welfare Institute (AWA) meanwhile, alleges that it isn't just Mexico who processes horse meat; Canada also accepts horses from "killer buyers," who travel around the country purchasing horses to transport for slaughter.
HSUS says of the 64 wild-horses confiscated by the BLM and the FBI, “We are grateful that these animals have been spared a horrific death,” but we urge "Congress to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, S. 1176, a bill with broad bipartisan support that would protect these noble, iconic animals from the slaughter pipeline. "
The seized horses are being held at the BLM facility in Herriman, Utah, pending the conclusion of the current investigation.
Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
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