Forward by R.T. Fitch of Wild Horse Freedom Federation
Story by Jacquelyn Hieber as posted on Facebook
“Why in the hell would the BLM geld a 26 year old Stallion that was headed to a sanctuary. Where is the logic, where is the compassion, where is the common sense? Dead is dead and the more the BLM fiddles around with the freedom and families of wild horses and burros the more the death count climbs. Many regrets sent out to those who were so devastated by this unnecessary tragedy. Our hearts are with you.” ~ R.T.
“If left on his rightful range he would be alive today“
Antonino
Forgive me if this is not well-written, but I want our village of mustang warriors to be the first to know. It is with a broken heart that I am writing to tell you that our beloved Grulla #3907, Antonino, has left this Earth.
I was out of the country last week without cell service, and upon landing in the U.S. at 9:00 pm last night, I had two voicemails and a text from BLM Delta asking me to call them. This is not out of the ordinary, I figured they were calling to talk about finalizing the adoption of Antonino’s herd mate, but when I noticed the text was sent Saturday night, my heart sunk a little.
I called their cell phone, and there was an answer on the other end. He told me, he had bad news, and wanted to make sure I heard it from him first. He had been waiting for my call. I still wasn’t expecting him to tell me what came next…
He told me the vet came out to do geldings on July 28th. The vet had given Antonino anesthetic, he lie down, and went to sleep. But, when he went to sleep, he never woke up. My mind began to race…all of the other mustangs: Carlitos, Maximus, Enrique, his herd mates, they didn’t have any complications, how could this be? Then, my mind and body went numb, I couldn’t breathe, so I sat quietly at the airport and listened.
He told me the BLM management wanted to make a statement about Antonino’s death, but Delta had asked them to wait until they could tell me; they didn’t want me to hear about it from the media. He told me how upset they were at Delta and they knew it was devastating news. I thanked him for their compassion, and told him I was sorry as I know they truly care for the mustangs at Delta, too. He told me the BLM statement will be released on Monday. Please know, I have no idea what it will say.
The vet report said they didn’t proceed with gelding; that Antonino died from possible cardiac arrest from the anesthesia. This is the “medical” reason.
In my heart, I know this may be partially true. But, I have watched this magnificent mustang in holding over the past 5 months. We all have seen his sadness in the photos I’ve shared. He lost his freedom, his family; then, his two best friends were adopted and taken away a few weeks ago. If you ask me, I believe he died of a broken heart. With his freedom and family gone, he didn’t know I was coming. In just a few short weeks, I would have been there to take him away….
I know this is a lot to digest, but I wanted to let you all know personally, as Delta did for me. We all fought so hard for him, and prayed for him. I’m so sorry I will not be picking Antonino up the last week of August. I’m so sorry, he will not be meeting his family at the sanctuary. I’m so sorry, we will not see him running free again on this Earth. I do pray we will see him running free in our dreams.
At this point, I must try to lift my heavy heart as I remember his herd mate is waiting. And, I ask you to do the same. There is an empty spot on the trailer now. Another Sulphur herd mate still waiting in holding can take his spot, but we know he will never fill the void.
Categories: Horse Health, Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
What can one say about this. Knowing the risks of gelding a 26 year old horse which was going to a sanctuary and doing it anyway. Anesthesia on a horse that old is tricky at best. Why?
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This is outrageous. Why are they allowed to get away with this?
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Here is the reference to gelding on the BLM post for this particular horse. Perhaps the sanctuary could not accommodate a stallion. I wish they would have shipped him to the sanctuary and then gelded him, or taken a younger horse and gelded if they could not have a stallion. I know they are heartbroken. But he was too old go under anesthesia unless it was a life or death matter. Not sure if anyone also bidding for this horse could have left him as a stallion or not? He could have ended up Sale Authority and gone to slaughter if no one took him. All a horrible horrible gamble at this poor horse’s expense becasue he was not left alone to run free. https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=7462
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The BLM says they have to be gelded, don’t they?
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With BLM more and more in the hotseat, I fear they will gladly hand over our Wild Ones to individual States and Indian Tribes that send their horses to slaughter. Please read and share in the name of this magnificent soul and all he has followed into Heaven: Dear Horse Advocate friends, please read and share far and wide. Thank you
“I am writing this note to ask advocates to please consider this issue carefully, regarding LEGISLATION that would allow individual states to have control over how America’s Wild Horses and Burros are managed.
This matter has been brewing for awhile, and it is getting more and more serious. In the recent months, many of us stringently wrote to Legislators and judges to implore them to oppose SJR007 http://le.utah.gov/~2015/bills/static/SJR007.html Basically many of us knew that if individual states are given authority to manage our wild treasures, many could be at huge risk for almost certain slaughter, or eradication.
However, now looming is the H.R. 3172 WILD HORSE OVERSIGHT ACT, introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart on July 22, 2015 The Bill Summary is: “To amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to provide for State and tribal management and protection of wild free-roaming horses and burros, and for other purposes.”
If you click on the link to this bill https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/hr3172 ,you will be able to read the entire Bill, which is not very long. A few days ago, only a little over 50% who voted on this Popvox link opposed the passing of this Bill. Now more show as opposing. However, we must keep going and share this issue out! Please also see the Senate Version here, not on Popvox yet:
It is S.1845 -with no cosponsors yet, but is showing as referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1845/all-info?resultIndex=2
Most voters may not look into this issue thoroughly. Without understanding the issues, they may think may they are doing a good thing by supporting the bill to merely support their agenda. But doing so could even more so gravely affect our Wild Ones by consequences than they currently face…forever!
Even since 1971, whether BLM branded or not, TENS OF THOUSANDS of Noth American Wild Horses and Burros have ALREADY been removed from multiple states and relocated elsewhere, separated from their family bands; and kept by the hundreds in huge dirt feedlots with no shelter from weather extremes. Others are unaccounted for. Others titled and untitled (by virtue of Three Strikes) are being LEGALLY hauled to slaughter.
What does H.R. 3172 mean exactly? Well we don’t know and individual states necessarily may not either. We struggle to get transparency from BLM. Can we expect organization, order, and transparency from states that are not used to managing Wild Horses? And we know Indian Tribe owned Wild Horses are being sold to slaughter to generate revenue for their communities.
While we recognize there are advocates within tribes who are against horse slaughter, we must learn more about how Federally Recognized Indian Tribes as an organization view horse slaughter (Reference: http://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/xois/documents/document/idc1-028053.pdf ) as well as manage their Wild Horses. What we do know is there has been a determined Tribal Movement in the past few years to restrict anti horse slaughter efforts. Reference: http://www.ncai.org/resources/resolutions/opposition-to-any-all-horse-anti-slaughter-acts.
For those wild equids not managed by Indian Tribes, we must consider “how” an individual state can handle or manage wild or feral animals; and then map that against how they could somehow handle/maintain Wild Horse or Burro herds. Whether we consider the plight of herds known as the Virginia Range Horses described in this link: http://www.aowha.org/war/virginia_range0901.html , or more isolated instances such as the horses discussed in this article: http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2013/01/starving_wild_horses_in_wheele.html, one thing is evident. They seem in a gray area between local culture and laws devoid of consideration for their care or protection from harm. For example, consider attitudes in states where heavy cattle and sheep grazing is prevalent.
Imagine what it might be like in States that would “gather”, “manage”, “house” and “inventory” Wild Horses? Would they somehow have large Long Term Holding Facilities such as that in Scott City, Kansas, that individual contractors win bids on Reference: https://rtfitchauthor.com/2014/08/05/blm-ships-1770-wild-horses-out-of-teterville-long-term-holding-pasture-in-kansas/ or Pauls Valley, Oklahoma? Reference: http://ppjg.me/2014/08/22/who-is-the-contractor-for-blms-emergency-short-term-holding-facility-where-75-wild-horses-died/. Would states simply adopt BLM ways and continue business as usual with same or similar facilities being provided by contractors BLM currently pays? How would tax payers pay for this?
We must also consider how Senators in individual states view Wildlife, as well as horses; and what their stance on horse slaughter is. Reference: http://www.aspca.org/blog/us-senate-committee-votes-prohibit-horse-slaughter-american-soil. Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri and others support Horse Slaughter.
Further, if Wild Horses and Burros are deemed “Wildlife” or “Invasive Species”, we might expect commissions or administrative wildlife agencies to have authority to possibly “adopt management plans, policies and regulations to implement, interpret and make specific state laws” regarding Wild Ones in their state. Although there are many examples, here are Wildlife Management Priniciples for the state Montana, where Wild Horses currently roam (and where a scheduled August 1, 2015 gather has begun): If at some point the State of Montana had authority over these Wild Horses, we just don’t know the implications for our beloved Pryor Wild Horses. Reference: http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/managementPrinciples.html This is how serious this matter is!
Please read comments in the thread below; folks have added valuable perspective on the implications of this dangerously harmful Bill. Please add your information and suggestions too. Do correct me on anything you feel necessary and I will make updates to this document, or add to the comment thread as needed. What we all really want to do is HELP, so we will be considerate and respectful of each others’ concerns. Please be assured that because this is a Public note, for any comments that take the focus off of the welfare of the equines, the delete button will be utilized.
FINALLY PLEASE SHARE THIS NOTE OUT AFTER YOU CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS. GO TO THIS SITE: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/state-legislatures.html CLICK ON YOUR STATE & SELECT DROP DOWN BOX “ELECTED OFFICIALS”. You may then contact that state’s Senator, Attorney General, etc. Remember, they likely have NOT done the research on the concerns (I have only touched on) regarding this issue. Rather, they may depend on popular opinion of voters or their peers in order to make their decisions. So when you write to them, please write very carefully.” Thank you, Sincerely Kim Sheppard!
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When is ever going to stop? Will all of our wild horses be gone in my lifetime? Now even the Heber and Salt River wild horses may be removed by the USFS. Call 1-800-832-1355, FS Chief Tidwell 202-295-8439, Neil Bosworth 602-225-5201
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How could they do this to a 26-year old stallion? Stupidity? Rules that cannot be broken by common sense? “We have rules” is likely their answer; what idiocy we are facing!
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Hi Arlene, Here is the reference to gelding on the BLM adoption post for this particular horse. Perhaps the sanctuary could not accommodate a stallion. I wish they would have shipped him to the sanctuary and then gelded him, or taken a younger horse and gelded if they could not have a stallion. I know they are heartbroken. But he was too old to go under general anesthesia unless it was a life or death matter. Not sure if anyone also bidding for this horse could have left him as a stallion or not? He could have ended up Sale Authority and gone to slaughter if no one took him. All a horrible horrible gamble at this poor horse’s expense because he was not left alone to run free. https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=7462
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The horrors continue.
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Why was he even on the list to be gelded, since he was being taken to a Sanctuary that evidently did not request gelding him, and their policy listed with his auction information is NOT to geld unless requested (per link https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=7462)?????
Why are we paying for this?????
Who approved gelding this horse?????
How many others died during this “operation”?????
Why isn’t this a wrongful death case – as it would be for any other horse whose owner lost him through ineptitude and professional errors?????
Are BLM holding areas just a form of “kill shelters”, sans the shelter?????
Can anything be more wrong with this whole situation?????
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Geez this is SAD…..
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The absolute trauma and terror that this old Stallion was forced to endure cannot be over-emphasized. Is it any wonder that this Stallion didn’t survive?
“…THESE ANIMALS WERE AWAKE AND AWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THEM
A veterinarian from UC Davis did an independent investigation into gelding practices at Indian Lakes following the first Calico roundup.
He observed that a quick, efficient process was used that seemed to minimize recovery time. However, he was very concerned about the use of succinylcholine, a paralytic, NOT an anesthetic, during the course of the surgery.
He noted increased heart rate and respiration during the initial phase of surgery, indicating these animals were awake and aware of what was happening to them before anesthesia.
Click to access Davis%20Report%20July%201%20Visit%20to%20Indian%20Lakes%20.pdf
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Yes Louie, everything we read and is posted they don’t put these horses under – so why this one?
And if you read my posting a few days ago the original high bidder was going to use him for breeding.
Seems another Cecil to me.
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Geri, this Stallion is another Cecil and his image should be displayed right up there with Cecil’s
Cecil the lion lights up New York’s Empire State building
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cecil-the-lion-lights-up-new-yorks-empire-state-building/ar-BBlkcyz?ocid=iehp
A giant photo of the beloved Zimbabwean lion killed by an American trophy hunter was among images projected Saturday onto the Empire State Building in New York in a dazzling display.
The “Projecting Change on the Empire State Building” initiative was designed to raise awareness about the plight of endangered animals and was billed as a first of its kind.
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I wrote in the comments on that page, that The American Mustang’s picture should have been one depicted because they are a endangered species right here in the USA! That was before I heard of the stallion’s death.
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OUR TAX DOLLARS DID THIS. THANKS TO DD/UH AND SELECT RANCHERS NEGATIVE IMAGE CAMPAIGN THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE ADVOCATES APPEAR TO KNOW NOTHING THEREFORE THE BLM CAN TAKE RIDICULOUS RISKS. IF YOU havent heard the idiotic anti horse advocate campaign you need to because they are painting wild horse advocates in a Very ignorant light. Please understand these things wont stop until WELL after horse slaughter is Banned. The Biggest campaign against wild horses is just getting started. Think about what they will do After slaughter is closed. That is where the Real battle For the Wild Horses begins.
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They want them GONE and they don’t care how.
Per FOIA data:
Twin Peaks HMA
Within one year of capture, 8% were dead.
In addition, 88 TP wild horses AND burros were sold to “Colorado” (Davis).
This is 13% that were captured on Twin Peaks HMA – DEAD and/or “Disappeared” within the FIRST year and many others in subsequent years.
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My family and I had a similar experience. We made arrangements to save one of Twin Peaks HMA’s herd stallions after BLM’s 2010 capture. After numerous emails and calls, BLM assured us they would keep him for us but when we arrived at the Litchfield facility he was not there. After more searching, we found out they had shipped him to LTH where he was reported Dead on Arrival. He will NEVER be forgotten but what they did to this magnificent wild herd stallion and his family was absolutely atrocious and BLM will never be forgiven.
https://rtfitchauthor.com/2011/01/22/this-one-stallion/
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This old Stallion, with his 26 years of wisdom and strong DNA should NEVER have been removed from the range
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Exactly 100% correct, Louie!
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ISPMB (International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros)
ISPMB HERDS SHOW THAT FUNCTIONAL SOCIAL STRUCTURES CONTRIBUTE TO LOW HERD GROWTH COMPARED TO BLM MANAGED HERDS
Princeton University Teams up with ISPMB to Study Equine Behaviors.
Click to access ISPMB_newsletter_June_2013.pdf
As we complete our thirteenth year in studying the White Sands and Gila herds, two isolated herds, which live in similar habitat but represent two different horse cultures, have demonstrated much lower reproductive rates than BLM managed herds. Maintaining the “herd integrity” with a hands off management strategy (“minimal feasible management”) and no removals in 13 years has shown us that functional herds demonstrating strong social bonds and leadership of elder animals is key to the behavioral management of population growth.
ISPMB’s president, Karen Sussman, who has monitored and studied ISPMB’s four wild herds all these years explains, “We would ascertain from our data that due to BLM’s constant roundups causing the continual disruption of the very intricate social structures of the harem bands has allowed younger stallions to take over losing the mentorship of the older wiser stallions.
In simplistic terms Sussman makes the analogy that over time Harvard professors (elder wiser stallions) have been replaced by errant teenagers (younger bachelor stallions). We know that generally teenagers do not make good parents because they are children themselves.
Sussman’s observations of her two stable herds show that there is tremendous respect commanded amongst the harems. Bachelor stallions learn that respect from their natal harems. Bachelors usually don’t take their own harems until they are ten years of age. Sussman has observed that stallions mature emotionally at much slower rates than mares and at age ten they appear ready to assume the awesome responsibility of becoming a harem stallion.
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The sanctuary adopterthat requested the gelding of an aged breeding wild stallion is to blame,aka Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, as i understand it.Also at faultis the Blm vet.How much anestetic was given along with stressful handling~this disgusts me. Sickens me.i could see it coming but could not change it. I dont understand why the woman who won his bid did not adopt him,and i dont buy that she was harassed. Thats it~
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Cascadia reneged, the second one did too and he was offered to Ms. Hieber as the 3rd. Black hills agreed to take him and through fund raising and Ms. Hieber’s own money contributions he was to be accepted by the sanctuary. The horse was supposed to be gelded , because all studs BLM has after the first offering are gelded. He was considered by many to wild to be handled easily. He was treated by a vet who gave him anesthesia and was going to be gelded humanely. His heart gave out. It could have happened on the trailer to Black Hills, or anywhere. He was old and had a bad heart. No one is to blame other than those who rounded him up . He should have been turned loose, and probably would have died soon of his age and bad heart anyway. It is a sad situation for all the advocater who followed him and worked so hard to free him. However negative comments will make those who sacrifice their time and money to help these horses are going to reconsider doing so if the negative comments continue. The sanctuaries will not take horses from our efforts if the negative comments hurt them. We are better than that. Lets mourn the old Grulla and all the rest who have died, and move on. Salt River Horses are going to die without our help!!
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Sherrye, what is the source of your supposition this horse had a “bad heart?”
If this was known condition, it should have been noticed and disclosed long before the auction began, and gelding responsibilities shifted to the adopter. If it was not known, was a necropsy performed or was an assumption made it “must have” been a bad heart? Were you present for this event or are you repeating something you heard elsewhere. If so, then where?
It beggars belief that a horse could have survived so many years, roundup and captivity with an unhealthy heart, only to suddenly die under severe stress and anesthesia.
There are many here willing to remain open minded but also capable of critical thought.
It is no excuse to say “he probably would have died soon..anyway” and is appalling logic reminiscent of WWII era rationalizations. There is more truth in statements of fact indicating the physical stress such procedures inflict on mature stallions, including mortality.
If you have credible sources please share them, so we can “move on” as you suggest.
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Not even close. The BLM is to blame for: 1). Removing Antonio from his range in the first place. 2). Ignoring the requests of 24,000 petition signers to return him to his range. (and) 3). Letting their ignorant and careless vets (?) try to geld him. One of them is responsible for gelding a 6 month old foal and, not surprisingly, it died. The sanctuary is saving wild horses that the BLM endangered by removing them from their ranges and families. The BLM had intended to slaughter all 50,000 mustangs that they had captured by last fall but the Senate put a stop to it. The BLM is absolutely responsible for killing our mustangs as well as destroying their bloodlines through a horrific campaign of sterilization, gelding. and adoption. We are paying them to terrorize, imprison and wipe out our wild horses. They must think they are geniuses.
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I was so heartbroken to learn this incredibly sad news yesterday. Considering the fact that he was in good health up until now tells me that his death could not have been a result of old age. However, the word “murder” is way over the top. The BLM did not intentionally kill him. Animals and people have died when given anesthesia before. Would he still be alive if he were released back into the wild or, at the very least, not gelded? Most likely yes. Regardless, using exaggeration only makes the wild horse advocacy community lose it’s credibility. I’ve seen erroneous information posted on this blog before and I never see any attempts by anyone to fix it. Twisting the truth to support an agenda is wrong.
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When I post any information, I will personally try to post an article on it. I also notice that Louie and Grandma Greg do the same. Both have way more expertise and GG is in the trenches.
I have been hear quite a while and have read way more than what is posted on this site,
“So excuse us if we tells it like we sees it”
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Please do not blame Black Hills, Antonio (Grulla #3907) was a SALE AUTHORITY stallion and it was his purchaser’s decision to geld him at BLM. The previous stallions she purchased were not gelded until the were safely at Black Hills and the private vet approved their health. Why the purchaser (not Black Hills) chose to have BLM try to geld him knowing their high death rate even with young stallions is something I cannot fathom.
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I completely agree do not blame Black Hills – his herd mates were sent to the Sanctuary as stallions, the gelding was done there by an excellent vet very experienced in gelding wild horses.
Yes, at 26 years old he should NOT have been gelded at all.
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Geri, this is a “learn as you go” mission…far too often you learn more than you ever wanted to know.
Keep posting and keep spreading the word.
Ours is the only voice they have
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The BLM stated it was done at the new owner’s request. Not sure if I buy that.
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HELLO
MY COMMENT IS ALSO ANSWERED WITH SADNESS HERE, ALSO THE AWHPC MENTIONED IN THEIR BLOG TODAY AUG 3RD ’15 IS THAT STAN PALMER WAS JUST GIVEN AROUND 200 + WILD HORSES TO DISPOSE OF, THE BLM IS JUST A KILLING MACHINE, AND THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED, ASIDE FROM THE CARING CREW THE DECISION MAKERS IN MY OPINION ARE THE UNCARING KILLERS, I THINK ANTONIO WAS EUTHANISED BECAUSE SOMEONE DIDN’T WANT TO SEE A HAPPY OUTCOME, OF COURSE HIS HEART WAS BROKEN WITHOUT HIS MATE AND FAMILY NEARBY, HE MIGHT HAVE PULLED THROUGH, BUT A MOOT POINT NOW, THE BLM IS NOT INTO MANAGEMENT AND IS INTO SLAUGHTER ETC. ITS TOO MUCH TO TAKE, WHO SENT THOSE WILD HORSES TO SLIMY STAN PALMER ANYHOW?, I AM FERVENTLY LOOKING INTO A GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION AGAINST THESE PRO SLAUGHTER GOONS AT THE BLM, REALIZING THAT IT ISN’T EVERYONE AT THE AGENCY BUT ENOUGH TO BE SUCCESSFUL IF THAT’S YOUR GOAL, MY GOAL IS TO STOP THE ROUND UPS AND SLAUGHTER OF OUR WILD HORSES SUZANNE ROY HAS COMMENTED THAT WERE DOWN TO THE WIRE ON THE NUMBERS OF WILD HORSES THAT ARE LEFT, JUST WONDERING WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ON ALL THIS.
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This is what we need for our equines—so he will be to the world more than a number–a Grulla Stallion #3907
https://www.thedodo.com/cecil-lion-tilikum-orca-similarities-1280111687.html
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https://www.thedodo.com/empire-state-projected-change-1278587575.html
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SEEMS LIKE SOMEONE IS SICK OVER THERE AT THE BLM, ONE PERSON WHO COMMENTED ON FACEBOOK SAID THE GRULLA STALLION ANTONION MIGHT HAVE ALREADY BEEN GELDED, SO WITH ALL THE FEED BACK, SOMETHING IS CERTAINLY ROTTEN OUT THERE, I JUST WISH THE HORSES WEREN’T CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE, SO TO SPEAK. I WOULD SAY CLEAN UP THE BLM OR CLOSE IT DOWN.
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WE ALL MUST MAKE THE BLM ACCOUNTABLE, THEY HAVE BEEN PULLING ALL MANNER OF CRAZY STUNTS AT THE WILD HORSES EXPENSE, AND NOW, WITH ALL THAT SAID, WE THE FOLKS THAT ARE PAYING FOR ALL THIS CRAZINESS THAT THE BLM IS USING AGAINST THE WILD HORSES THERE NEEDS DESPERATELY TO BE A GRAND JURY HEARING ON THE FEDERAL
LEVEL AS WE THE TAX PAYERS ARE DAMNED MAD ABOUT THE WAY THEY ARE SPENDING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO FUND A BROKEN DOWN AND LUNATIC FEDERAL AGENCY THAT IS HELL BENT ON THE WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER OF AMERICA’S WILD HORSES AND BURROS (EQUINE) WE MUST NOT BE MADE TO PAY FOR HELICOPTER ROUNDUPS OVERSEAS SLAUGHTER SHIPMENTS OF OUR WILD AND MAYBE DOMESTIC HORSES, THE PZP DRUGS GIVEN TO THE MARES, WHEN AS AWHPC HAS STATED WE ARE “DOWN TO THE WIRE” ON NUMBERS OF WILD HORSES, WHY WHY WHY ARE THEY THE BLM ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS MUCH CRAZINESS, IF THIS AGENCY WAS AN INDIVIDUAL HUMAN BEING, I’M PRETTY SURE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN COMMITTED BY NOW??????
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I can’t believe this. You don’t castrate a 28 year old horse. The world is watching what’s happening in the U.S. Killing horses, happy trigger cops killing gamely pets in their own back yard, hunters paying big money for the pleasure to kill a defenses animal etc… What’s wrong with this picture????
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BLM COULD have and SHOULD have released him back into the Wild
Group calls for release of handsome Utah wild horse that became online sensation
Online sensation
BLM officials agree the gray and black stallion is “gorgeous” but don’t plan to free him.
http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/outdoors/2413103-155/studly-wild-horses-onlin
By Brett Prettyman The Salt Lake Tribune
Published April 17, 2015
“This proud stallion spent over two decades in the wild, and it is the height of inhumanity to capture and remove him from the only life he has ever known – a life of freedom,” the petition from the campaign states.
“Today, he languishes in a BLM holding pen, his spirit crushed, his life endangered by intensive confinement and possible castration (gelding
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Salt River wild horses to be removed starting August 7 by Forest Service, could face death
http://www.12news.com/story/news/local/valley/2015/08/03/salt-river-horses/31081367
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Fate of Heber wild horses looms
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-08-03/animal-welfare/fate-of-heber-wild-horses-looms/a47493-1
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I just saw a post from Tina Wooten, who went looking for the Salt River horses today, and it appeared as though they were already gone. Could it be they were anticipating objections and went ahead with the removal before anything could be organized? I hope not, it would spell death for these horses that are so dependent on that river for their survival.
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I just tried to go the Forestry’s website, down for maintenance, or did they do this on purpose
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In Colorado horses are not legally considered to be “livestock” unless they are being purposely bred and raised for legitimate business purposes. Anyone know why or how these wild horses can be legally classified as “livestock” in Arizona, or how the “roundup” can happen at any time over twelve months while being paid for with taxpayer funds?
“All impounded animals not redeemed withing [sic] 5 days after notice of sale of impounded livestock has been published in a local newspaper, posted in the county court house and in one or more local post offices, will be offered for sale at public auction.”
“Livestock not sold at public sale may be sold at private sale or condemned and destroyed, or otherwise disposed of as provided by Regulations 36 CFR 262.10(f).”
“The representative went on to say the last thing anyone at the Forest Service wants is for the horse to end up in a situations where they could be killed.”
Posting notice, say on Friday means any horses unclaimed by Weds. morning are doomed. If these are owned livestock who have been known to be there for years it is unlikely their owners will understand the risks. If wild, nobody outside a very small circle will know when they are to be sold, especially if they are captured at various times over a calendar year.
It seems clear if these are wild, unbranded horses the USFS is indeed fully intending to put them into situations where they not only could, but likely will, be killed for pocket change when nobody is noticing.
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Maybe just maybe the BLM will be next—-fingers crossed
Wildlife Services dealt blow by Federal Appeals Court
http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=11773&news_iv_ctrl=1194#.VcAbtMnnbqB
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Like so very many, I am simply devastated over the death of the grulla stallion. Every thought of him brings tears, and anger, and more questions. We are all joined in our grief, our outrage, and in our demand for justice, that someone needs to answer for his needless death. Unfortunately, we may never have all the answers we want or need in order to make some sense of this, to make his death not be in vain. And it will not be. I think we are hurting not just for him, but for all the others before him, and those left behind in holding. As hard as it will be, we have got to channel that anger and focus our energies on finding a way to save our wild horses before they are all gone. Nothing will bring him back, but we can honor him and his fellow wild ones by staying the course and moving forward in our fight to save those that are left. Before BLM kills them all. Ultimately, it is solely BLM’s fault he is gone – he never should have been removed from the wild. I hope we advocates can unite over this tragedy, and direct our anger not at one another, but solely at the BLM where it belongs. I wish you peace, wild grulla, may you always run free.
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Very well said Robin.
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Thank you, Robin, for sharing your thoughts to eloquently.
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As disgustingly wrong and heartbreaking that this is… We can sign petitions until we are blue in the face and beat our heads against the wall, but people need to direct more than just anger at the BLM. The public needs to ban together and physically stand up or this crap will just continue on. Sad days….
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This is a link regarding the Paso Robles state fair, where they are chasing wild horses at their rodeo…..protest this!
http://pasoroblesdailynews.com/letter-fair-should-stop-barbaric-wild-horse-chase-at-rodeo/39779/?fb_comment_id=885226238224608_885514458195786&comment_id=885514458195786#f22798c491e25b
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List of email addresses for this fair’s board of directors etc.
Please email them.
http://www.midstatefair.com/contact.php
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the human infliction of suffering or harm upon any non-human animal, for purposes other than self-defense or survival.
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Antonino deserved the same as the other stallions from his herd that went to Black Hills. They were gelded at Black Hills. Because Jacquelyn took it upon herself – remember there was already over $4000 in donations collected on his behalf – to order the BLM to geld him. She lied to many of us and told us he was already gelded, which was not the case. Had she been honest, we could of tried to find him another sanctuary or a remedy where his gelding could of been done after he left holding and had time to be assessed by a Vet. Instead she took that decision away, it was her choice for whatever reason. Yes, none of this would of ever happened had he never been rounded up. Yes, he might of still died at gelding. There are so many unknowns, but we will never know what could of been. I’m sorry to him, he deserved a better decision made on his behalf.
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Dead is dead and the more the BLM fiddles around with the freedom and families of wild horses and burros the more the death count climbs. Where is the logic, where is the compassion, where is the common sense?
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