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Jul. 01, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Wild horse euthanasia considered

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RENO -- Faced with too many wild horses on the range and in holding facilities, federal officials are considering drastic policy changes that include ending roundups and euthanizing animals.

U.S. Bureau of Land Management Deputy Director Henri Bisson said Monday there is an overpopulation of wild horses on public lands and the agency can no longer afford to care for the numbers of mustangs that have been rounded up. The number of horses adopted by the public has dropped off, leaving the BLM with more animals than it can care for, he said.

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    • One option would be to stop all roundups -- something the agency said would lead to "ecological disaster."

    "The other option is to use some combination of the (adoption program) and euthanasia, which would be really difficult to do," Bisson said.

    "Our goal is supposed to be about healthy horses on healthy ranges. But we are at the point we need to have a conversation with people about pragmatically what can we do given the financial constraints of our program to meet the goals we have," he said before meeting with area horse advocates.

    Bisson was in Reno to brief the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. He said there are 32,000 wild horses on the range in 10 Western states. About half of those are in Nevada.

    BLM has set a target "appropriate management level" of horses at 27,000. Some 33,000 more horses are in holding facilities, where most are made available for adoption.

    But those deemed too old or otherwise unadoptable are sent to long-term holding facilities to live out their lives -- some for 15 to 20 years.



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    priscilla lane wrote on July 03, 2008 05:44 PM: What has our country come to. Why not make all the extinct. The mustangs have been here long before any of us. There has to be a way to make this compatable to everyone. Most of all the," our heritage of the west." How many states have lost their herds because BLM killed them!! Try at least 6. We critize other countries for eating and treating their animals inhumane, what are we doing. Not just the mustangs and burros, wolfs, bears, seals, need I go. we have become no better. People have become greedy, heartless and very ignorant. There has to be other solutions to help save these animals.


    priscilla lane wrote on July 03, 2008 05:27 PM: I agree with Mr.Ray Foster, BLM would like nothing more then to rid of all the animals. They were able to find refuge for the bisson. Why can't they for the horses. People all the world come to see the mustang. Mr.Henri Bisson, he is a liar. Talk to Lacy Dalton, Virginia City. These horses and burros roamed the plains for yrs and nature helped to oontrol the population. The Ford Corp. raised $$$$$$ to help proserve the herds and BLM, wouldn't think to work with anyone.Amoung other parties. How much $$$ is BLM getting paid to get rid of the herds? BLM didn't care, don't care and they do what ever. Heartless people


    rayfoster wrote on July 01, 2008 08:25 PM: to try an make an effort to save. life is not black an white thats what i perfer


    Shannon wrote on July 01, 2008 07:04 PM: It is either that or let them die of thirst. What would you prefer?


    RAY FOSTER wrote on July 01, 2008 05:41 PM: I AGREE WITH MURIEL LEAVE THEM ALONE
    FOR GODS SAKE OUR NATURAL HISTORY IS DISAPERING BEFORE OUR EYES AND INDIFFERENCE AN GREED HAS TAKEN COMPASSION'S PLACE ITS A SHAME


    Muriel Collins wrote on July 01, 2008 05:32 PM: No No No !! Absolutely horrible !! These horses were here before we were ... leave them be and enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature gives us.


    RAY FOSTER wrote on July 01, 2008 01:34 PM: LETS FACE IT THE REAL REASON TO KILL THESE ANIMALS IS SO THAT GREEDY INVESTORS CAN PUT UP THESE "PLANNED"
    COMMUNITIES SO MORE MORONS CAN MOVE THER TO FEEL "SAFE" RIGHT LOOK AT THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN SUMMERLIN THEY FELT "SAFE" THERE TO THIS IS WAHT THE INDIANS HAD TO ENDURE WHEN THE WHITE MAN PUSHED THEM FROM THERE LANDS


    RAY FOSTER wrote on July 01, 2008 01:22 PM: YES AND NEITHER ARE THE THOUSANDS WHO MOVE HERE EACH MONTH (HUMANS)
    THAT WOULD ALIVIATE URBAN SPRAWL


    TimeRanger wrote on July 01, 2008 12:39 PM: These horses are non-native, feral animals - get rid of ALL of them.