The Bureau of Land Management shut down its wild horse and burro Adoption Incentive Program after a federal judge ruled it violated environmental and administrative laws. The program offered incentives up to $1,000 to help people adopt burros and horses, but animal rights activists alleged that some animals were sent to slaughter. Judge William Martinez of the U.S. District Court in Colorado referenced a New York Times article and testimony from animal rights groups in his ruling.
The American Wild Horse Conservation organization, a principal petitioner in the suit, welcomed the ruling over the adoption program, calling it a disservice to the American people and the horses. The organization hopes the ruling will lead to changes in how the federal government controls the overpopulation of wild horses and burros, advocating for options like providing trained horses for adoption and using birth control. The Bureau of Land Management’s website states that the adoption program is currently paused and not available for new adopters.
The BLM is reviewing the ruling to determine its next steps. The Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between several public media organizations, reported on the story. Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
