The Issue

Save The Salt River Wild Horses
 
We strongly object to the forced removals of over half of our beloved Salt River Wild Horses.

Petition to Katie Hobbs, Governor of Arizona.

We, the undersigned, call on you to cancel the mandate by your AZDA to remove over half of the Salt River Wild Horse herd. That is not in accordance with state law in the Salt River Horses Act, that you voted for. We urge you to allow the second half of the successful 10-year plan implemented by the previous AZDA Director to continue, without removals. The Salt River Act states: “A person shall not interfere with, take, chase, capture or euthanize a horse that is part of the Salt River horse herd without written authorization... The department or the county sheriff may provide written authorization only for humane purposes.” The Salt River Horse Act clarifies that Salt River wild horses are not stray livestock and are not subject to livestock removal laws such as ARS § 3-1371 and §3-1402. Therefore, the AZDA does not appear to have the authority to require removals of healthy wild horses. In the original 10 -year plan, the first five years has seen the herd size reduction go from 450 to 274 today, an over 40% decrease. This was achieved through birth control and natural attrition. There is no sudden imperative to discard this program. At this rate, the population would be approximately 168, in the second five years, well within the expert recommended range necessary for a healthy, genetically diverse herd. We urge Governor Hobbs to:   Uphold the spirit and letter of the Salt River Horse Act, ARS § 3-1491 and cancel forced removals   Continue humane, science-based management in partnership with SRWHMG, allowing the successful original 10-year plan to continue Let’s honor our state’s proud history, the will of the people, and a working solution that reflects compassion and common sense. Humane wild horse management works — please let it continue, without forced removals. Only YOU can stop this and honor the wishes of the majority of Arizonans.