Friends of Animals is challenging the US Bureau of Land Management’s plans for future wild horse roundups in Utah and Nevada, claiming the agency abused its discretion and misinterpreted federal law. The group argues that the BLM’s population control methods go beyond what is allowed under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. They are appealing a district court ruling that allowed the BLM to amend its 10-year plans for horse management zones in the two states.

The appellant brief filed by Friends of Animals is asking the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to set aside the BLM’s plans entirely. The conservation group believes that the agency’s actions are not in line with the directives of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which aims to protect and manage wild horse populations in a humane manner. Friends of Animals is seeking to hold the BLM accountable for its management practices and ensure the well-being of wild horses in Utah and Nevada.

The dispute between Friends of Animals and the BLM highlights the ongoing challenges in managing wild horse populations on public lands. The conservation group is advocating for more humane and sustainable methods of population control, while the BLM is facing criticism for its interpretation of federal law and management practices. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the future of wild horse management in Utah and Nevada.