DA opens investigation into Davis’ sale of wild horses to slaughter

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVE PHILIPPS
Pictured, Tom Davis, who is at the center of an investigation alleging his sale of at least 1700 federally protected Mustangs to slaughter, as exposed in the ProPublic report by Dave Philipps. Davis reportedly worked on the Salazar family farm, but the Interior Secretary denies any business relationship.

Cross-posted from the Pueblo Chieftain

WRITTEN BY MATT HILDNER

ALAMOSA — District Attorney David Mahonee said Thursday he had opened an investigation into whether a La Jara man who buys wild horses from the federal government had illegally shipped the animals across the state line.

Mahonee, who had just returned from vacation, declined to discuss the details of the case against Tom Davis, adding that he had yet to receive all of the information from the state Division of Brand Inspection.

State Brand Commissioner Chris Whitney said his office is asking local prosecutors to charge Davis for failing to comply with a state law that requires a brand inspection before shipping livestock out of state.

Whitney said he interviewed Davis Nov. 6 and confirmed the violation.

Penalties could range from misdemeanor fines to felony jail time.

Source. Read more >>

RELATED READING

– Man Under Federal Investigation for Selling Wild Horses to Slaughter Houses Worked on Salazar Family Farm; The Colorado Observer; by Mark Stricherz; Nov. 16, 2012

Tuesday’s Horse

– Salazar interview with Philipps re sale of wild horses to slaughter (video)

– Salazar regrets threatening to hit reporter

– Salazar threatens to “punch out” reporter

– BLM claims to investigate sale of 1700 wild horses to slaughter

– Are BLM selling wild horses directly to slaughterhouse dealers? (re ProPublica article by Dave Philipps)

BLM bait trap Cloud’s herd

Cloud the Stallion oversees his territory in the Pryor Mountains on the Montana / Wyoming border. Cloud, whose life has been chronicled by Ginger Kathrens for the acclaimed PBS series bearing his name, protested when part of his herd was caught in a bait trap by the BLM. Photographer Unknown.

This is beyond disgusting, made even more so because — like all of the other BLM roundups — they are unnecessary. Men in the white hats indeed, playing cowboy. What a despicable way to make a living. To be proud of it is even more shameful.

The Associated Press reports:

POWELL, Wyo. — Cloud, the famous mustang stallion, was not a happy camper as he watched members of his band caught.

But U.S. Bureau of Land Management personnel from Billings, Mont., believe they’re the guys in the white hats as they capture excess wild horses so Cloud’s 38,000 acre range in the Pryor Mountains, which straddle the Montana-Wyoming border, can feed a healthy herd.

There are around 175 mustangs on the range. The appropriate management level is 90-120 horses. Bureau employees hope to catch 30 or 40 mustangs from four bait-trap sites to put up for adoption, said a bureau news release.

Cloud himself did not enter the bait trap but a few from his band reportedly did.

Three mustangs wandered into the trap, one of which was on Bybee’s keep list. Bybee eased over and closed the gate. The corralled mustangs were not happy, and they neighed shrilly. The ground thundered as the horses stomped about, drumming up equine displeasure from outside the trap.

Despite being incensed, Cloud was in his photogenic glory.

Rolling on his back, he whipped up dust like [a] cantankerous baker flinging flour. Then he raced his band around the site like a cheesy 1950s Western movie.

Read full story >>

Ginger is no doubt there, with her heart in her throat. As soon as we hear from her, we will be sure to post it here.

On the Radio: Wyoming wild horse activists vs the BLM

Wednesday evening, July 25th 2012, at 7:00 CST!
5:00 PST… 7:00 CST… 8:00 EST
Listen live here!
Call In # 917-388-4520

Tune in for a discussion on wild horses and the BLM on internet radio. Google Image.

Jerri Tillett joins us from Wyoming along with Nikki Spotted Eagle, and Cathy Bryarly, to discuss the malfeasance of the Bureau of Land (mis)Management (BLM) and the deceptive practices used by the agency in favor of invested stakeholders in the BLM. All three women have worked tirelessly to expose the deceptive practices of the BLM in their area.

Jerri Tillett and Nikki Spoted Eagle have spent more than twenty years documenting the harm done by the BLM especially to the wild horse herds in Wyoming. This has culminated in the filing in the US District Court in Billings, Montana a case attempting to halt any further eradication of the wild horse herds in that area. Filing as a pro se
her case is docketed as CB-12-87-BLG-RFC/ Billings District.

Cathy Bryarly has concluded a three year investigation into the BLM and has documented numerous instances of deceptive practices and lack of accountability within the BLM in her area.

At issue here is the lack of accountability by a federal agency. Numerous lawsuits against the BLM highlight the lack of transparency, malfeasance and the continued deceptions used against the public and in the courts to implement unlawful plans by the agency

Wyoming has the second largest wild horse population in the United States.