BLM NEWS RELEASE
The Bureau of Land Management is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for shooting a wild horse mare that was gathered on Wednesday, Feb. 9, as part of the Elko District’s Antelope Complex Wild Horse Gather.
The BLM discovered that the mare had been injured by a gunshot wound in her upper left leg. The on-site veterinarian conducted a health assessment at the trap site and observed a puncture wound in her upper left leg (left shoulder).
The animal was transported to the gather holding facility, placed in a separate pen from the other gathered horses and monitored closely by the on-site veterinarian. Yesterday morning, she spun around in the corral and broke her front left leg.
She was humanely euthanized as a result. Upon closer examination, the vet determined the puncture wound was actually a gunshot wound, and was a major contributing factor to the break. A BLM law enforcement investigation into the gunshot to the mare has been initiated.
BLM Director Bob Abbey said, “The BLM is very serious about enforcing the 1971 law protecting wild horses on the range. The Act very clearly states that it is a federal crime for any person to maliciously cause the death of any wild horse. BLM law enforcement is working closely with authorities in White Pine and Elko Counties to gather evidence and we are hopeful this reward will result in information leading us to the perpetrators of this crime.”
The BLM currently manages thousands of wild horses in accordance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which gives the agency a mandate to protect and manage the animals.
Persons providing information may choose to remain anonymous. Individuals with information about this incident are encouraged to call the crime hotline phone number at: 1-800-521-6501.
