THE SPORTS DESK
Betsy Carter’s Horse Scene: Policy aims to halt slaughter
ACCORDING TO THE Bureau of Land Management, some people who purchase large numbers of wild mustangs and burros might be reselling them for slaughter.
It is particularly evident when large numbers of horses are resold to foreign buyers, who often buy them for human consumption.
Recently, one buyer, Tom Davis, became suspected of this intention after buying 1,700 horses at $10 a head at one auction. He said he sold the horses to individual homes and to the film industry. Davis is an advocate of slaughter and has voiced his intention of opening his own slaughterhouse.
The BLM is adamantly opposed to slaughter, and the selling of an adopted BLM wild mustang or burro to slaughter is a violation of the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act.
Because of the incident involving Davis, the BLM has imposed new policy. Without prior approval, no more than four horses or burros may be purchased by an individual or group. Buyers must be able to describe where the animals will be housed for the next six months after purchase. Purchasers must provide adequate transportation for the animals. This transportation must be a stock trail, which must meet certain safety standards approved by the BLM.
Betsy Carter can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or by fax at 540/373-8455.
