America’s wild horses and burros have been granted a temporary stay of execution, thanks to new language in the House budget bill.

A previous version of the bill contained language allowing for the unrestricted sale and euthanization of wild horses under the BLM’s watch. Thanks to a major effort by welfare groups and calls from concerned citizens, the new draft now specifically forbids both euthanization and selling of wild horses and burros for the purpose of slaughter.

The specific language is as follows:

“Appropriations herein made shall not be available for the destruction of healthy, unadopted, wild horses and burros in the care of the BLM or its contractors or for the sale of wild horses and burros that results in their destruction for processing into commercial products.”

While the amended language is a major step forward, advocates need to remain vigilant, urging their lawmakers to protect the Mustangs. Until this version of the bill is made law, there is risk of additional amendments allowing for euthanization and slaughter.

By Ashley Fairfield-Remeza

Source:
https://americanwildhorsecampaign.org/media/wild-horses-and-burros-public-lands-won’t-be-killed-–-now