MLA seeks protection for Sask.’s wild horses (CAN)

Encouraging news from Canada. A private member’s bill was introduced last week to make it a crime to harm the ponies of the Bronson forest. The ponies were being shot en masse. Thank you, Tim McMillan.

Canadians, support this legislation.

Cross-posted from the Star Phoenix, a Canwest Publication

By JAMES WOODS

A tiny population of small wild horses in northwest Saskatchewan is under threat and needs protection before it’s too late, a Saskatchewan Party MLA says.

Tim McMillan, who represents the Lloydminster constituency, introduced a private member’s bill Thursday that will make it a crime to harm the ponies of the Bronson forest.

The ponies are descendants of domesticated horses that were introduced to the area about 100 years ago.

But their numbers have declined from an estimated 125 in 2005 to 37, with incidents reported of the animals being shot en masse.

McMillan said the ponies are “beloved” by most residents of the area.

“It seems strange that there would be a problem or a need to protect them but that’s what was brought to my attention. A local rancher had photos of some that had been shot and dragged into a pile by whoever had done it,” McMillan, himself a rancher, told reporters.

McMillan, who was elected in 2007, said his predecessor, Milt Wakefield, had made some attempts to have protection extended to the horses.

But under both the NDP and Saskatchewan Party governments, the horses did not meet the criteria for protection under current environmental legislation because they were formerly domesticated.

The government is supporting the current bill and the NDP said it would also back the legislation.

When it becomes law, individuals who harm the horses will be subject to fines up to $1,000 and jail time of up to two months. Provincial conservation officers will be responsible for enforcing the legislation in the area, which is primarily Crown land.

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