Additional $3,000 Reward Offered for Information in Shooting of Wild Horse
FILLMORE, UTAH – July 21, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – The Humane Society of Utah is offering an additional $3,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction after a wild horse was shot to death.
Program specialists from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah Fillmore Field Office discovered a wild horse in the Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA) that had been shot and killed with a small caliber gun. The BLM said in a news release the discovery came after they responded to a call from a local resident about a deceased horse on public lands west of Delta, Utah. The 14-year-old palomino stud was found shot near Middle Pond in the Swasey HMA.
“The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear and suffering in all animals, and that includes finding justice for those who are needlessly killed,” said Gene Baierschmidt, HSU executive director. “Our mission includes teaching respect and humane treatment of animals. We cannot condone these acts of violence.”
“Harassing, capturing or killing wild horses is illegal,” said Kevin Oliver, West Desert District Manager. “The 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act protects these animals, and the BLM is committed to enforcing the act and finding those responsible.”
Investigators are pursuing several leads at this time but welcome additional information from the public. The National Mustang Association—a wild horse advocacy group based in Cedar City, Utah—in conjunction with the BLM is also offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of person(s) involved in the killing.
Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to contact BLM Law Enforcement at (801) 539-4082.
Violations of the 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act are punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, a year in prison, or both.
