Protect Mustangs’ investigation creates furor, advocacy group requests #Shade4Mustangs

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Video Investigation reveals wild horses are dying in the heat wave!

As a result of public outcry, the Bureau of Land Management is holding a public workshop at the Reno City Council Chamber in Reno, Nev., on Aug. 6 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Tune in to participate via Webinar if you cannot attend in person. Registration information is here:  http://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/412191850

Links of Interest:

July 20, 2013 CBS San Francisco BLM seeks ways to protect wild horses from heat after pressure from Bay Area advocate http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/07/20/blm-seeks-to-protect-wild-horses-from-heat-after-pressure-from-bay-area-advocate/

July 20, 2013 Kansas City Star by Martin Griffith, The Associated Press BLM seeks ideas to protect wild horses from heat http://www.kansascity.com/2013/07/20/4357157/blm-seeks-ideas-on-how-to-protect.html

BLM’s wild horse and burro program looks to community for ideas at workshop: http://thisisreno.com/2013/07/blms-wild-horse-and-burro-program-looks-to-community-for-ideas-at-workshop/

Captive wild horses need relief from heat says HSUS http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/18/captive-wild-horses-need-relief-heat-says-hsus/#axzz2ZcyetMGy

Captive wild horses need shade, advocates say http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/02/captive-wild-horses-need-shade-advocates-say/#axzz2ZcyetMGy

How many foals are dying after roundups?: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4246

BLM’s email revealing they are not counting the unbranded dead amongst the 37 dead mustangs at the Nevada facility http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4220

NPR: Fertility drug, nature, better than horse roundups  http://newsle.com/article/0/78084688/

Information on native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562

Wild-horse advocates: Rallies held in 50 states to drum up opposition to roundups, slaughter http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/80561cc4e8a64b43ae909f7d09a0473e/NV–Wild-Horses-Rallies

Animals Angels investigative report: http://www.animalsangels.org/the-issues/horse-slaughter/foia-requests/497-blm-nevada-mortality-records-a-nevada-rendering-animals-angels-foia-request-reveals-discrepancies.html

Palomino Valley Center: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/wh_b/palomino_valley_national.html

Protect Mustangs’ press releases: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=12

Protect Mustangs in the news: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=218

NOTES:

4 horses died during the last heat wave but only 3 deaths (A,C,D) could be related to the heat wave. (see email from BLM below). Strangles is a respiratory illness (Equine Distemper). Horses with repiratory illness have a higher chance of death when enduring a heat wave, because they are already having difficulty breathing and the heat aggrivates that.

BLM’s Debbie Collins responds to Anne Novak’s email:

 

So, I am listing a response to the specific questions you submitted to Jeb below:1.  How many unbranded foals, etc. have died from June 27 to July? Jeb has already provided you a response to this, but at this time no records are kept on unbranded animals that die.3.  For the listed time period, what were the dates of any deaths, how old were the horses and what were their id #s?A. #12620475 – 1yr old Female – Died 6/28/13 from stranglesB. #06619316 – 7yr old Gelding – Died 6/28/13 from Neck/Head injuryC. #10617585 – 3yr old Female – Died 6/30/13 from Unknown*D. #12619358 – 1yr old Female – Died 7/2/13 from Unknown*

 

* PVC’s Vet and staff reported no signs of heat-related symptoms prior to the deaths of #10617585 & #12619358. In addition,  these animals had a continuous supply of water, quality hay, and sprinklers present; therefore, there was no life or death issue present. It is not always possible to make a determination of the cause of death. But, if the BLM has any future deaths at PVC that are not associated with a particular illness or injury, a necropsy will be performed.  

U.C. Davis expert cites failure to provide shelter as neglect

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Dr. Carolyn Stull, Ph.D., courtesy U.C. Davis

Dr. Carolyn Stull, Ph.D., courtesy U.C. Davis

Managing Equine Neglect Cases
General Definitions
Neglect
is the failure to provide proper shelter, food, or water. Neglect may also include failure to provide veterinary care to a horse that is ill or injured.
Abuse and cruelty
includes the intentional act, omission, or neglect whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted.Examples include poking with a sharp stick or excessively beating, intentionally scaring, or poisoning a horse.

Did the Ph.D.s see the real deal?

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Sweaty horses at the Twin Peaks roundup

Sweaty horses at the Twin Peaks roundup

 

Release Date: 12/03/10
Contacts: Tom Gorey , (202) 912-7420

BLM Releases Report by Independent Observers on Handling of Animals at Three Wild Horse Gathers
The Bureau of Land Management today released a report prepared by four independent, credentialed equine professionals concerning the care and handling of wild horses and burros at three major gathers or round-ups held over the summer. The full report, accessible at the BLM’s national Website (www.blm.gov), made several observations and findings, including the observation that, in general, “horses did not exhibit undue stress or show signs of extreme sweating or duress due to the helicopter portion of the gather, maintaining a trot or canter gait only as they entered the wings of the trap. Rather[,] horses showed more anxiety once they were closed in the pens in close quarters; however, given time to settle, most of the horses engaged in normal behavior….” The report also favorably noted the helicopter’s “precision” in gathering horses and burros, comparing it to “a dog working sheep.”
The four professionals who prepared the report, each of whom is an academia-based equine veterinarian or equine specialist, are Camie Heleski, Ph.D., from Michigan State University; Betsy Greene, Ph.D., from the University of Vermont; Sarah Ralston, VMD, Ph.D., from Rutgers University; and Carolyn Stull, Ph.D., from the University of California at Davis. These four observers were selected by the Washington, D.C.-based American Horse Protection Association, whose mission is to protect and preserve wild horses and burros on U.S. public rangelands.
Other findings by the equine professionals, who observed gathers at the Owyhee Herd Management Area (Nevada), Stinking Waters Herd Management Area (Oregon), and Twin Peaks Herd Management Area (California), include:
  • contractor and BLM personnel appeared to be gentle and knowledgeable, using acceptable methods for moving horses forward at the trap sites and the temporary holding facilities;
  • chutes and pens were set up in a manner that reflected recommended handling practices for reducing animal stress in traps;
  • horses were sorted appropriately at temporary holding facilities;
  • horses were assessed by Federal veterinarians (from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS) to be capable of travel before transport to BLM holding facilities;
  • APHIS veterinarians were open and candid regarding protocols for treating injured or ill horses. In the case of euthanasia or injuries, there was no attempt to minimize or hide any information or details related to the injuries or euthanasia procedures; and
  • when faced with unexpected and extraordinary circumstances (such as water toxemia at the Owyhee gather), BLM, APHIS, and contractor personnel demonstrated the ability to review, assess, and adapt procedures to ensure the care and well being of the animals to the best of their ability.
The independent observers also made a number of recommendations to the BLM, which can be found in the full report posted on the BLM’s Website. The Bureau will review and respond to each recommendation. The BLM will use the observations and findings of this report as it considers development of an independent observer program as part of the agency’s ongoing effort to put the Wild Horse and Burro Program on a sustainable track.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2012, activities on public lands generated $4.6 billion in revenue, much of which was shared with the States where the activities occurred. In addition, public lands contributed more than $112 billion to the U.S. economy and helped support more than 500,000 jobs.
–BLM–Utah State Office   400 West 220 South, Suite 500      SLC, UT 84074-1345

http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/december/blm_releases_report.html

Urgent Signature Challenge: Petition for Emergency Shade for captive wild #horses & burros

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Take Action to increase petition signatures.

Sample email:

Dear friends and family,

Captive American wild horses and burros have suffered roundups and are now kept in pens without shade–in the sweltering desert heat. In the wild, our national treasures can migrate to cooler zones as well as find trees or mountainsides for shade. In the pens they are trapped and must be provided for humanely. We need to bring shade to them immediately.

Many groups and advocates have joined the call for shade yet the feds are stalling. The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) highly publicized sprinkler mitigation is inadequate.

Horses have died in the triple digit heat wave since the handful of sprinklers were installed.

Using water from a few sprinklers during a drought doesn’t make sense especially when shade can be provided if the BLM will make the commitment to humane care.

Protect Mustangs has called for Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, to utilize the Army Corps of Engineers to bring emergency shade to America’s captive wild horses and burros.

When there are at least 50K signatures on the petition then we will go to Washington to deliver the petition to Secretary Sally Jewell’s office.

Hurry! Email all your friends the link to the petition for shade.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=545541502171540&set=a.240625045996522.58710.233633560029004&type=1&theater

Ask them to sign it and forward a copy of this email on to their friends.

Thank you for taking action right now to bring emergency shade to the captive wild horses and burros.

Together our voices for the voiceless can be heard.

In gratitude,

[Your name]

#Shade4Mustangs Call for public accessibility and government transparency at the Palomino Valley Workshop

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BLM Sprinkler July 1 2013 Med Meme

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: Request for transparent and interactive public process at

Palomino Valley Public Workshop

From: <@protectmustangs.org>

Date: Tue, July 23, 2013 4:00 pm

To: jguilfoy@blm.gov

Cc: dbolstad@blm.gov

 

Dear Ms Guilfoyle,

We will reinstate our position, and that of thousands of supporters, that captive wild horses and burros at Palomino Valley need to have access to shade and shelter as well as other humane care. The Bureau of Land Management requires the same when someone adopts a wild horse or burro. The public wants the same from you.

We are concerned your upcoming yet unscheduled “workshop” will delay bringing emergency shade to the treasured equids facing more heat waves and possible deaths.

We discovered many wild horses were suffering without access to shade in the triple-digits while your sprinkler mitigation was ineffective. Sadly we also discovered a dead youngster http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdM2NrJcX8o upon whom you neglected to perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death.

We are kindly requesting you make the Palomino Valley Public Workshop accessible to all interested people by using contemporary communication technology.

Members of the public would like the Palomino Valley Public Workshop be an interactive event so people outside the Reno area can attend virtually and participate in the public process.

Taxpayers and foreign nationals who love America’s wild horses should not be expected to travel at their expense, leave their jobs and families to participate in public dialogue across the country.

This is America 2013. It’s time to use available technology for an interactive workshop to foster transparency.

We look forward to your response.

 

Sincerely,

Anne Novak

 

Encl: Articles pertaining to the workshop:

This one went viral: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/20/3511692/blm-seeks-ideas-on-how-to-protect.html

http://thisisreno.com/2013/07/opinion-elements-relief-and-a-hot-debate-on-horses-in-holding/

http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/21/bureau-brainstorm-shade-adoption-center/#axzz2ZubTh5dS

more tba

CC: DF, BB, JB, KG, KB, SC, DH, JJ, PO, JB, GG

 

Anne Novak

Executive Director

Protect Mustangs

San Francisco Bay Area

 

As seen on the news and in print

Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 

 

Protect Mustangs on Facebook

Protect Mustangs on Twitter

Protect Mustangs on YouTube

Protect Mustangs in the News

Donate to help Protect Mustangs

www.ProtectMustangs.org

Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.

#Shade4Mustangs Calling for the US Army Corps of Engineers to bring emergency shade to captive wild horses

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Shade at the Wild Horse & Burro Facility, Ridgecrest California

Shade at the Wild Horse & Burro Facility, Ridgecrest California

Shade is needed at the Nevada facility–before an unscheduled public workshop to “discuss” the issue

We have contacted the people who could get the job done!

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: Calling USACE because captive wild horses urgently need shade

at a federal facility

From: <@protectmustangs.org>

Date: Tue, July 23, 2013 2:17 pm

To: hq-publicaffairs@usace.army.mil

Dear Sirs,

We request your help to bring emergency shade to the captive wild horses at Palomino Valley without delay. They can be exposed to triple-digit heat waves while trapped in pens. This can cause heat related illnesses and even death.

Several iconic wild horses could have died probably from the heat and lack of shade because of the poor design at the federal facility.

The site has challenges including high winds and snow but right now the captive living treasures of the West need shade.

Despite some myths, wild horses in the high desert seek out cooler zones and shade. Here is a photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=542888105770213&set=a.240625045996522.58710.233633560029004&type=1&theater

I am including (below) our request for Secretary Jewell to enlist the help of the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Here you can see the investigation video after the BLM proposed unsuccessful “sprinkler mitigation” :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdM2NrJcX8o

Here you can see the growing Petition for Emergency Shade https://www.change.org/petitions/bring-emergency-shade-for-captive-wild-horses-and-burros

I look forward to hearing from you soon because another triple-digit heat wave is fast approaching.

Thank you very much for your kind assistance.

Sincerely,

Anne Novak

 

Anne Novak

Executive Director

Protect Mustangs

San Francisco Bay Area

 

As seen on the news and in print

Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 

 

Protect Mustangs on Facebook

Protect Mustangs on Twitter

Protect Mustangs on YouTube

Protect Mustangs in the News

Donate to help Protect Mustangs

www.ProtectMustangs.org

Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.

 

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: Urgent Shade, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Livestream

Workshop, population studies, mitigation

From: <@protectmustangs.org>

Date: Tue, July 23, 2013 1:19 pm

To:

Honorable Secretary Jewell,

We kindly request you install emergency shade immediately for the wild horses and burros held in pens in triple-digit heat at the Palomino Valley Center. We politely ask that the Department of Interior, the BLM and the Wild Horse & Burro Program avoid delays related to the “workshop” or anything else.

Here is a viral article relating to the workshop: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/20/3511692/blm-seeks-ideas-on-how-to-protect.html

There are many possibilities to create immediate and temporary shade. The implementation might slightly inconvenience the workers on site and might take them 15 more minutes total to drive around the shade elements.

We formally request that you immediately involve the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to bring the captive wild horses and burros emergency shade.

In addition, we are officially requesting the interested public be allowed to participate in the upcoming Palomino Valley workshop to promote transparency and public dialogue. We request you implement something interactive such as Live-stream to include the greater public living and working outside the Reno area.

We also request you call for scientific population studies before the BLM permanently removes any of the less than 18,000 wild horses in the wild from all 10 western states combined. We understand their proposed removal is based on your new mitigation plan and request you find an alternative win-win option.

Thank you for your kind assistance.

Sincerely,

Anne Novak

 

Anne Novak

Executive Director

Protect Mustangs

San Francisco Bay Area

 

 

As seen on the news and in print

Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 

Protect Mustangs on Facebook

Protect Mustangs on Twitter

Protect Mustangs on YouTube

Protect Mustangs in the News

Donate to help Protect Mustangs

www.ProtectMustangs.org

Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.

 

Getting the facts from the BLM

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Despite some hurdles, here are the facts on the wild horses who died at Palomino Valley Center during the heat wave from June 27 to July 8th

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: Re: Mortality inquiry since heat wave] – Response to your

request

From: “Collins, Deborah” <@blm.gov>

Date: Wed, July 17, 2013 2:31 pm

To: <@protectmustangs.org>

Dear Anne.

Ok, I contacted our FOIA/Records Administrator and discussed your specific request and this is what was confirmed.  Jeb and I misunderstood an earlier conversation with her about this particular type of request. If available, we can provide you a response to the specific questions below because it does involve a long period of time to research the answers.  However, if you seek any kind of official records/reports that support the answers, you will have to submit a FOIA because you are then getting into Category 2 Records and FOIA issues. Please visit: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/res/FOIA/records_access.html

So, I am listing a response to the specific questions you submitted to Jeb below:

1.  How many unbranded foals, etc. have died from June 27 to July?

Jeb has already provided you a response to this, but at this time no records are kept on unbranded animals that die.

3.  For the listed time period, what were the dates of any deaths, how old were the horses and what were their id #s?

A. #12620475 – 1yr old Female – Died 6/28/13 from strangles

B. #06619316 – 7yr old Gelding – Died 6/28/13 from Neck/Head injury

C. #10617585 – 3yr old Female – Died 6/30/13 from Unknown*

D. #12619358 – 1yr old Female – Died 7/2/13 from Unknown*

* PVC’s Vet and staff reported no signs of heat-related symptoms prior to the deaths of #10617585 & #12619358. In addition,  these animals had a continuous supply of water, quality hay, and sprinklers present; therefore, there was no life or death issue present. It is not always possible to make a determination of the cause of death. But, if the BLM has any future deaths at PVC that are not associated with a particular illness or injury, a necropsy will be performed.

 

Debbie Collins

BLM National Wild Horse & Burro Program

Marketing and National Information Center

 

 

On Wed, Jul 17, 2013 at 8:22 AM, <@protectmustangs.org> wrote:

Dear Ms Collins,

1.) Can you please explain using citations what are the procedures are for responding to basic inquiries in hopes this will foster transparency?

2.) Are these procedures for advocates, advocate groups and members of the public?

3.) What about journalists? Are they going to be subjected to the same procedures?

 

You stated,

“Due to the federal records procedures, we are unable to give you more specific information when you submit multiple e-mails with varying questions.”

 

4.) Where can the public read about the “federal records procedures”?

5.) This “procedure” appears to create a serious lack of transparency in government. Why is the BLM/DOI choosing to shut down communicaiton with advocates and members of the public?

6.) Who can change the procedures to ensure transparency?

7.) Why can’t a BLM facility manager inform the public easily and without drama answers to simple questions like, “How many are dead who have not been branded and officially counted?”

8.) Does the statement you made on procedure mean the Department of Interior / BLM wants to limit the number of emails from concerned Americans?

9.) How long would the turn around be for a request like the one you suggested  below?

 

Can the BLM provide me with a record containing the following information:

1.  How many wild horses have died at Palomino Valley center since June 27, 2013 ?

2.  How many unbranded foals, etc. have died from June 27 to July?

3.  What were the dates of any deaths for the listed time period?

4.  How old were the horses and what were their id #s?

 

10.) Also how may I get a copy of the entire wild horse and burro 2013 advisory board meeting?

Thank you for your kind assistance.

Sincerely,

Anne Novak

 

Anne Novak

Executive Director

Protect Mustangs

San Francisco Bay Area

 

As seen on the news and in print

Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 

 

Protect Mustangs on Facebook

Protect Mustangs on Twitter

Protect Mustangs on YouTube

Protect Mustangs in the News

Donate to help Protect Mustangs

www.ProtectMustangs.org

Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: RE: Mortality inquiry since heat wave]

From: “Collins, Deborah” <@blm.gov>

Date: Tue, July 16, 2013 1:44 pm

To: <@protectmustangs.org>

Dear Anne,

We’ve all recently attended the annual federal records training and consulted our FOIA staff; therefore, we are now aware of a more productive process for you to request your information.  Due to the federal records procedures, we are unable to give you more specific information when you submit multiple e-mails with varying questions.

If your request comes in the form of a request for a record, it should reduce your need for submitting multiple e-mails. This format should also help reduce  our response time to you and possibly reduce the number of FOIA’s you have to request.

So, please resubmit your request in the following format:

Can the BLM provide me with a record containing the following information:

1.  How many wild horses have died at Palomino Valley center since June 27, 2013 ?

2.  How many unbranded foals, etc. have died from June 27 to July?

3.  What were the dates of any deaths for the listed time period?

4.  How old were the horses and what were their id #s?

Also, please send your future requests directly to me or wildhorse@blm.gov.  Heather Emmons will be unavailable after the next couple of weeks and Jeb’s primary responsibility is providing care to the animals. Therefore, our Division Chief would prefer to ensure all requests come to me or wildhorse@blm.gov.

Thank you and I’ll be watching for your official record request. Thank you.

 

Debbie Collins

BLM National Wild Horse & Burro Program

Marketing and National Information Center

 

 

 

On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 2:43 PM, Beck, James (Jeb) <@blm.gov> wrote:

———- Forwarded message ———-

From: <@protectmustangs.org>

Date: Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 12:42 PM

Subject: [FWD: RE: Mortality inquiry since heat wave]

To: “Beck, James (Jeb)” <@blm.gov>

Dear Jeb,

Please respond ASAP with the information requested below and especially the id numbers for the dead horses. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Anne Novak

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: RE: Mortality inquiry since heat wave

From: <@protectmustangs.org>

Date: Mon, July 08, 2013 1:18 pm

To: “Beck, James (Jeb)” <@blm.gov>

 

Dear Jeb,

What were the dates of the deaths you mentioned? How old were the horses and what were their id #s?

How many unbranded foals, etc. have died from June 27 to July?

Thank you for your assistance.

 

Sincerely,

Anne Novak

 

 

Anne Novak

Executive Director

Protect Mustangs

San Francisco Bay Area

 

 

As seen on the news and in print

Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 

Protect Mustangs on Facebook

Protect Mustangs on Twitter

Protect Mustangs on YouTube

Protect Mustangs in the News

Donate to help Protect Mustangs

www.ProtectMustangs.org

Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.

BLM avoids necropsy to escape public outcry

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PM PVC Investigation Photo 'Shadow'

 

For immediate release

How many wild horses must drop dead in the heat waves before BLM gives them shelter?

RENO, NV (July 20, 2013)–The public is outraged that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not provide shelter for the captive wild horses and burros at Palomino Valley Center near Reno, Nevada.  Nevada State Senator Mark Manendo and Anne Novak, executive director of Protect Mustangs warned on June 9th that wild horses would suffer, get sick and could die from heat related illnesses. They called for shade but the BLM refused to take action. In the morning of July 2nd, the Protect Mustangs investigation discovered a branded young wild horse who died during the heat wave.

Protect Mustangs documented the incident with video and photographs. They immediately sought help from several senators and representatives and requested Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, bring shade to the trapped mustangs.

“The BLM’s historic disregard for America’s wild horses is a global embarrassment,” states Anne Novak. “We hope the new Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, will intervene to bring them shade and call for a moratorium on roundups for population studies, based on science of course. They’re underpopulated on the range now. That’s why they are breeding at a higher rate–to prevent extinction.”

The BLM neglected to perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death for 2 branded young wild horses who died during the last heat wave, on June 30th and July 2nd.

Another death on June 28th could have been due to exposure to high temperatures without access to shade. The wild yearling had a respiratory illness known as strangles that is often occurring at the holding facility. According to the BLM, the wild horse’s death was attributed to strangles but the factor causing death could have been that she was forced to stand in the triple-digit temperatures which aggrivated her condition–ultimately causing her death.

“If a horse has strangles, its immune system is being compromised,” explains Dr. Lester Castro Friedlander, BA. DVM, President of Citizens Against Equine Slaughter. “When there is a heat wave, the horse’s body becomes dehydrated and the major organs try to keep the body in a stable condition, but then it can not fight the bacterial infection. High temperatures increase the death rate of horses with strangles, due to a chain reaction of major organs being compromised.”

All the branded mustangs that were recorded to have died were female: one was a 3 year old and the others were yearlings.

Currently the deaths of all young unbranded wild horses and burros are not counted at the BLM facilities. The BLM’s lack of accountability is raising concern amongst elected officials and members of the public.

“Our investigation uncovered the dead branded yearling during the heat wave but the BLM avoided performing a necropsy,” states Anne Novak, executive director of Protect Mustangs. “It’s as if they don’t want the public to know the truth. Why won’t they let the public know how many young mustangs have died? Why are they avoiding transparency?”

“I can’t believe they didn’t do a necropsy to find out what the animals died from during the heat wave,” says Dr. Lester Castro Friedlander, BA. DVM, and President of Citizens Against Equine Slaughter. ”Due to the high temperatures there is a very good possibility the horses died due to heat related conditions. By not doing the necropsy the cause of death is “unknown” and they avoid public outcry.”

Despite the BLM’s lack of transparency, today protestors gathered in Carson City to demand shelter for the wild horses and burros captive in pens.

Due to public outcry from wild horse advocates and groups, the BLM announced it is consulting PhD.s from UC Davis to determine if wild horses prefer shade and to determine the environmental conditions at Palomino Valley Center. The BLM is also as holding an open forum requesting public input on how the BLM can best care for the horses at Palomino Valley. Still no emergency shade has been brought in.

Another heat wave is hitting Reno this weekend but the BLM still clings to the belief that it’s OK to treat native wild horses and burros like something on a feedlot waiting to be slaughtered.

The public is encouraged to meet with their elected officials around the country and ask for them to intervene to bring emergency shade to the captive wild horses.

“These captive wild horses need emergency shade,” explains Novak. “Exposing them to another heat wave without shade is cruel.”

Protect Mustangs is circulating a petition for emergency shade on Change.org https://www.change.org/petitions/bring-emergency-shade-for-captive-wild-horses-and-burros

# # #

Media Contacts:

Anne Novak, 415.531.8454 Anne@ProtectMustangs.org

Kerry Becklund, 510.502.1913 Kerry@ProtectMustangs.org

Photos, video and interviews available upon request

Links of interest:

BLM’s wild horse and burro program looks to community for ideas at workshop: http://thisisreno.com/2013/07/blms-wild-horse-and-burro-program-looks-to-community-for-ideas-at-workshop/

Captive wild horses need relief from heat says HSUS http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/18/captive-wild-horses-need-relief-heat-says-hsus/#axzz2ZcyetMGy

Captive wild horses need shade, advocates say http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/02/captive-wild-horses-need-shade-advocates-say/#axzz2ZcyetMGy

How many foals are dying after roundups?: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4246

BLM’s email revealing they are not counting the unbranded dead amongst the 37 dead mustangs at the Nevada facility http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4220

NPR: Fertility drug, nature, better than horse roundups  http://newsle.com/article/0/78084688/

Information on native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562

Wild-horse advocates: Rallies held in 50 states to drum up opposition to roundups, slaughter http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/80561cc4e8a64b43ae909f7d09a0473e/NV–Wild-Horses-Rallies

Animals Angels investigative report: http://www.animalsangels.org/the-issues/horse-slaughter/foia-requests/497-blm-nevada-mortality-records-a-nevada-rendering-animals-angels-foia-request-reveals-discrepancies.html

Palomino Valley Center: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/wh_b/palomino_valley_national.html

Protect Mustangs’ press releases: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=12

Protect Mustangs in the news: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=218

NOTES:

4 horses died during the last heat wave but only 3 deaths (A,C,D) could be related to the heat wave. (see email from BLM below). Strangles is a respiratory illness (Equine Distemper). Horses with repiratory illness have a higher chance of death when enduring a heat wave, because they are already having difficulty breathing and the heat aggrivates that.

BLM’s Debbie Collins responds to Anne Novak’s email:

 

So, I am listing a response to the specific questions you submitted to Jeb below:1.  How many unbranded foals, etc. have died from June 27 to July? 

Jeb has already provided you a response to this, but at this time no records are kept on unbranded animals that die.

 

3.  For the listed time period, what were the dates of any deaths, how old were the horses and what were their id #s?

A. #12620475 – 1yr old Female – Died 6/28/13 from strangles

B. #06619316 – 7yr old Gelding – Died 6/28/13 from Neck/Head injury

C. #10617585 – 3yr old Female – Died 6/30/13 from Unknown*

D. #12619358 – 1yr old Female – Died 7/2/13 from Unknown*

 

* PVC’s Vet and staff reported no signs of heat-related symptoms prior to the deaths of #10617585 & #12619358. In addition,  these animals had a continuous supply of water, quality hay, and sprinklers present; therefore, there was no life or death issue present. It is not always possible to make a determination of the cause of death. But, if the BLM has any future deaths at PVC that are not associated with a particular illness or injury, a necropsy will be performed.  

Mortality inquiry since heat wave

Posted on by

PVC No Shade Heat Wave

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Re: Mortality inquiry since heat wave
From: “Beck, James (Jeb)” <j1beck@blm.gov>
Date: Mon, July 08, 2013 1:32 pm
To: <@protectmustangs.org>

Anne, The dates were 2 on 6/28 1 on 6/30 and one on 7/2. Two were yearling and a three year old and one seven year old. I don’t have records of the number of unbranded deaths that may have happened.

Thanks Jeb

On Mon, Jul 8, 2013 at 1:18 PM, <anne@protectmustangs.org> wrote:

Dear Jeb,
What were the dates of the deaths you mentioned? How old were the horses and what were their id #s?
How many unbranded foals, etc. have died from June 27 to July?
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Anne Novak
Anne Novak
Executive Director
Protect Mustangs
San Francisco Bay Area
As seen on the news and in print
Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 
Protect Mustangs on Facebook
Protect Mustangs on Twitter
Protect Mustangs on YouTube
Protect Mustangs in the News
Donate to help Protect Mustangs
Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.  
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Re: Mortality inquiry since heat wave
From: “Beck, James (Jeb)” <j1beck@blm.gov>
Date: Mon, July 08, 2013 9:28 am
To: <@protectmustangs.org>

Good morning, Hope you had a good 4th.

I ran the report on deaths that you requested 6/27/2013 to 7/08/2013 we have had four branded animals die. One case of bastard strangles, one neck injury, and two undiagnosed found dead in pen. Nothing died since 7/02/2013.
Thanks Jeb

On Wed, Jul 3, 2013 at 1:14 PM, @protectmustangs.org> wrote:

Dear Jeb,
How many wild horses have died at Palomino Valley center since June 27, 2013 ?
Sincerely,
Anne Novak
Anne Novak
Executive Director
Protect Mustangs
San Francisco Bay Area
As seen on the news and in print
Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 
Protect Mustangs on Facebook
Protect Mustangs on Twitter
Protect Mustangs on YouTube
Protect Mustangs in the News
Donate to help Protect Mustangs
Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.
James  (Jeb) Beck
Acting Facility Manager
Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center
775-475-2222


—
 

James  (Jeb) Beck

Acting Facility Manager

Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center

775-475-2222

J1beck@blm.gov

 

 

 

American Tragedy ~ RIP Shadow

Posted on by

Dead Shadow © Jim Hart Protect Mustangs

“It will be almost two weeks ago that I sent the letter to Congressman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona stating that the wild horses and burros need shade at the long and short term holding facilities that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, especially at the Palomino Valley Complex near Reno, Nevada,” explains Dr. Lester Friedlander, BA, DVM. “I am shocked and dismayed to see the photograph of the dead horse in the middle of the pen. I explicitly told of the danger of high temperatures that could take the toll on those horses. This death and others could have been prevented if the authorites in charge of that facility would have taken the proper procedures to protect the horses. This is an American Tragedy and I pray that no more wild horses or burros succumb to such an excruciating death.”

“The BLM’s historic disregard for America’s wild horses is a global embarrassment,” states Anne Novak. “We hope the new Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, will intervene to bring them shade and call for a moratorium on roundups for population studies, based on science of course. They’re underpopulated on the range now. That’s why they are breeding at a higher rate–to prevent extinction.”

RIP  Shadow  July 2, 2013

Press Release: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4725

#Shade4Mustangs  www.ProtectMustangs.org

 

For immediate release

BREAKING NEWS: Citizen investigation reveals wild horses are sick and dying at national adoption center without shade

Video report calls for Secretary Jewell to intervene with emergency shelters

RENO,Nv (July 8 2013)–Protect Mustangs is releasing a preliminary video report of captive wild horses denied shade in the recent triple-digit heat wave. Anne Novak, executive director of Protect Mustangs, America’s indigenous horse conservation group, has been leading a nationwide outreach campaign (#Shade4Mustangs) on Facebook and Twitter to bring shade to captive wild horses and burros at Palomino Valley Center outside Reno, and elsewhere. Last week’s heat wave broke records. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) refused to install shade despite Novak and Senator Mark Manendo’s requests, outcry from the public and other groups. Protect Mustangs conducted a field investigation during the heat wave with the help of Reno photographer Taylor James, Jim Hart the President of Liberty for Horses and Dennis Walker. The video report calls for the new Interior Secretary, Sally Jewell, to have compassion and bring emergency shade because captive mustangs are sick and dying. In the wild they can migrate to shade and cooler zones. Trapped in pens it’s cruel to deny them access to shade and shelter.

“The BLM’s historic disregard for America’s wild horses is a global embarrassment,” states Anne Novak. “We hope the new Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, will intervene to bring them shade and call for a moratorium on roundups for population studies, based on science of course. They’re underpopulated on the range now. That’s why they are breeding at a higher rate–to prevent extinction.”

The heat wave investigation found horses without shade who appear to have respiratory illness, as well as ones who have other illneses and diseases. They are exhausted from repeated exposure to triple-digit temperatures, sore, stiff, probably lame foals, lactating mares, and young wild horses who also appear dehydrated, obese horses, hot sweaty horses and hot horses not sweating, young horses not wanting to get up and eat, who are ill or dying as well as a dead filly the group named “Shadow”.

When the summer heat started to rise on June 9th Anne Novak & Senator Manendo officially called for shade for more than 1,800 captive wild horses at Palomino Valley Center, the largest short-term federal holding facility in America.

Novak uses Facebook & Twitter to reach thousands of people through her widespread outreach. Celebrities such as Daryl Hannah, and Holly Marie Combs graciously shared out Novak’s calls for shade.

On June 24, 2013, esteemed Dr. Lester Friedlander BA DVM called for an emergency action to bring shelter to the wild horses and burros.

Novak continued to contact elected officials, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) personnel and the newly appointed Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, requesting shade to prevent deaths from the upcoming heat wave. To this date she has not heard back from Secretary Jewell.

No shade was provided in triple-digit heat–only a handful of ineffective sprinklers for “mitigation”. Neither Protect Mustangs nor Dr. Friedlander suggested using sprinklers. They requested shade and shelter.

Dr. Friedlander DVM and Anne Novak warned the Bureau of Land Management that the wild horses would suffer disease, infections and heat related deaths without shelter from the heat.

Protect Mustangs has been working with Dr. Lester Friedlander BA, DVM, photographer Taylor James, Jim Hart, President of Liberty for Horses, Dennis Walker and other advocates to document the fiasco during the record-breaking heat wave and advocate for change–shelters for wild horses and burros in holding facilities.

Despite the BLM’s ‘sprinkler mitigation’ PR campaign, the Protect Mustangs’ investigation found sick, sore, horses as well as a dead filly hours before the BLM facility official, Jeb Beck, gave Fox News an interview about the ‘sprinklers’.

In his July 2nd Fox News interview Beck says: “We’ve never experienced any problems with the heat and whatnot,” says Beck. “Because of the publicity it’s getting, we wanted to make a proactive step and try suggestions that were brought to us.” – (See more at:http://www.foxreno.com/news/news/local/wild-horses-trying-beat-heat/nYcsD/#sthash.xNDnlcmV.dpuf)

“We witnessed several young wild horses who would not get up,” says Jim Hart, President of Liberty for Horses. “They were just lying there. The heat wave seemed to have taken its toll on them. Then we found ‘Shadow’ who had died. The horses in the pen were coming over as if to say good-bye. When we came back to the pen later Shadow’s body had disappeared.”

Eye witnesses have documented the following during the heat wave:

 

1.) Triple-digit temperatures

2.) No shade and no relief from the record-breaking heat

3.) No shelter from the strong winds and dust storms

4.) One or No sprinklers seen (depending on the day)

5.) Wild horses stayed away from the sprinkler.

6.) Lactating mares and foals appeared depressed, sore and dehydrated

7..) Horses with bad hoof care

8.) A lot of depressed horses and possibly ill horses

9.) Horses missing their tags

10.) Horses with respiratory illness

11.) Obese horses

12.) Yearlings and other horses who were lying down, breathing hard and not getting up to eat.

13.) Most of them had severe gas

14.) A dead bay filly named Shadow in the pens

15.) The dead filly named Shadow “disappeared” when they came back to the pen

The public wants to know “How many had died? And why is the BLM hiding the deaths?”

Novak has requested the mortality count during the heat wave since June 27 and wants to know the number of sick horses also. Witnesses Hart & Walker asked to view the sick pens but were denied permission to view from a distance.

Palomino Valley Center doesn’t keep track of the dead unbranded foals according to Heather Emmons Jasinki, Public Affairs Officer for the Bureau of Land Management.

“We are requesting immediate transparency and accountability for the mortality rates at all facilities as well as shade and shelter for the captive wild horses and burros,” states Novak. “These wild horses should be living with their families in freedom on the range not enduring cruelty in a government holding pen. Is it time for another agency–without a conflict of interest–to manage America’s native wild horses and burros?”

Less than 18,000 native wild horses and burros are estimated to be living in freedom in all ten western states combined. Today more than 50,000 are stockpiled in government funded holding–at risk of disappearing into the slaughter pipeline. Horse advocates want to see them returned to the range.

The National Academy of Sciences has stated there is no accurate population count. Protect Mustangs, AANHCP and other horse advocate groups know that when a scientific population study is done, the numbers will be very low.

The BLM’s population numbers have been inflated by BLM to justify costly roundups and removals for the public land grab and industrialization.

“The BLM requires adopters to provide ‘access to shelter’ so why aren’t they doing the same?” asks Dennis Walker from Northern California. “It was horrible to see these horses surfing with no shade.”

“They are all so sweet and young,” says James. “I’ve been visiting them sometimes twice a day, to check on them. They would be flaring their nostrils and after the first day they didn’t sweat as much. I was worried. After a few days some would not eat but clearly were weak and dehydrated. They should have never been removed from the range, It’s not fair that Shadow died because the BLM didn’t want to give them shade while they sit in their air conditioned offices, drinking their fresh, cold water.”

# # #

Media Contacts:

Anne Novak, 415.531.8454 Anne@ProtectMustangs.org

Kerry Becklund, 510.502.1913 Kerry@ProtectMustangs.org

Photos, video and interviews available upon request

Links of interest:

Captive wild horses need shade, advocates say, Horsetalk, NZ:http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/02/captive-wild-horses-need-shade-advocates-say/#axzz2YQ4084gM

How many foals are dying after roundups?: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4246

BLM’s email revealing they are not counting the unbranded dead amongst the 37 dead mustangs at the Nevada facility http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4220

NPR: Fertility drug, nature, better than horse roundups  http://newsle.com/article/0/78084688/

Information on native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562

Wild-horse advocates: Rallies held in 50 states to drum up opposition to roundups, slaughter http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/80561cc4e8a64b43ae909f7d09a0473e/NV–Wild-Horses-Rallies

Animals Angels investigative report: http://www.animalsangels.org/the-issues/horse-slaughter/foia-requests/497-blm-nevada-mortality-records-a-nevada-rendering-animals-angels-foia-request-reveals-discrepancies.htm

ProPublica: All the missing horses: What happened to the wild horses Tom Davis bought from the gov’t?http://www.propublica.org/article/missing-what-happened-to-wild-horses-tom-davis-bought-from-the-govt

Palomino Valley Center: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/wh_b/palomino_valley_national.html

Protect Mustangs’ press releases: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=12

Anne Novak quotes at Newsle: http://newsle.com/AnneNovak

Protect Mustangs in the news: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=218

June 9th Novak & Senator Manendo ask for shade at Palomino Valley: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4501