I am creating this petition in regards to the 2,000+ mustangs still at Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Canon City holding facility. There have already been 145 deaths since April 23, 2022 and the BLM is providing no answers. Their facility is closed and they are not releasing updates as they agreed to.

These horses are protected under The Wild - Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. While this Act permits them to be relocated, it is solely via humane capture, care, and transportation. Their care is subpar at best and they are dying in record numbers. The Bureau of Land Management failed to provide vaccinations even though these mustangs were captured in the summer of last year. Due to their lack of adequate care, there is now an equine flu outbreak that is running rampant through the entire facility that has led to the death of 145 horses.

The Bureau of Land Management is not even following their own Animal Welfare Program standards and because of their negligence, previously wild and healthy horses are now sick and dying. This roundup should have never happened. It’s the largest in state history and the BLM failed to plan and have the necessary resources before carrying it out. Colorado law limits 10 horses per acre of land. By that standard BLM should provide, at minimum 200 acres for 2,000 horses and they are currently crammed on 110.

The Canon City facility claims they can hold 3,000 animals at a given time, which is very clearly an inaccurate statement as they are incapable of holding 2,381 without 145 deaths as they are failing to provide basic care. There needs to be a thorough investigation done as to why these wild, protected horses are dying at a record rate. There needs to be an investigation done as to why they were not properly vaccinated in the 7 months time they’ve been in holding. There needs to be an investigation done on why BLM Canon City facility is failing to follow any standards of care, including their own animal welfare program. There needs to be an investigation done as to why this many horses (the largest in state history) were rounded up at once without the proper resources to care for, and humanely relocate them.

These horses are protected and are required  to be provided humane care. The Bureau of Land Management is failing on every account to do so. I am writing you to call for action. We the People are calling for our government to follow due process and properly address the issues at hand. We the People are calling for action to save the remaining horses held at the BLM facility.