Shocking avoidance of simple question re: Strangles, deaths at national adoption and “processing” center


——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Shocking avoidance of simple question by BLM employee
interfacing with the public re: Wild Horses & Burros
From: <anne@protectmustangs.org>
Date: Fri, April 12, 2013 4:09 pm
To: “Beck, James” <j1beck@blm.gov>

Dear Jeb,
Is your new policy to refuse answering a simple question and direct us to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office? Is this an appropriate use of tax dollars? Is this how you, the acting facility manager, show transparency to the public?
I’m shocked at your response and your facility’s lack of transparency. I would like you to please respond to my simple question:
“How many horses have died at the facility since Jan 1, 2013?”
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Anne Novak
Enclosed below is the previous email stream regarding the health of the native wild horses held in captivity at Palomino Valley Center, the nations largest processing and adoption center near Reno, which lead up to Mr. Beck’s evasive response.
Anne Novak
Executive Director
Protect Mustangs
San Francisco Bay Area
Tel./Text: 415.531.8454
Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 
Protect Mustangs on Facebook
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Donate to help Protect Mustangs
Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the native wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.  
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: RE: PVC reply
From: <anne@protectmustangs.org>
Date: Fri, April 12, 2013 11:20 am
To: “Beck, James” <j1beck@blm.gov>

Dear Jeb,
How many horses have died at the facility since Jan 1 2013?
Best,
Anne Novak
Anne Novak
Executive Director
Protect Mustangs
San Francisco Bay Area
Tel./Text: 415.531.8454
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 native wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.  
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: PVC reply
From: “Beck, James” <j1beck@blm.gov>
Date: Fri, April 12, 2013 10:58 am
To: <anne@protectmustangs.org>

Anne, nothing has changed at Palomino Valley since our talk last Friday. We currently have some upper respiratory illness and cases of strangles at the facility. The PVC staff along with the contract veterinarian have been closely monitoring the situation and the horses have responded to treatment and are improving.
Shipment for adoption purposes or to other facilities is 3 to 4 weeks depending on pen location and negative culture results. At this time there are no plans to ship to long term pastures from PVC. Broken Arrow does not have any respiratory illness or strangles events at this time.
Thanks Jeb

James  (Jeb) Beck
Acting Facility Manager
Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center
775-475-2222
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Info request re: Outbreak at PVC
From: <anne@protectmustangs.org>
Date: Fri, April 05, 2013 3:05 pm
To: J1Beck@BLM.gov

Dear Jeb,
Kindly inform me on the outbreak at PVC. I have been hearing rumors and would like the official statement.
Sincerely,
Anne Novak
Anne Novak
Executive Director
Protect Mustangs
San Francisco Bay Area
Tel./Text: 415.531.8454
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 native wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: latest question
From: “Beck, James” <j1beck@blm.gov>
Date: Fri, April 12, 2013 2:20 pm
To: <anne@protectmustangs.org>

Anne,
Please forward your latest request for information to the Nevada state office, Freedom of Information Act coordinator. The main number is 775-861-6400.
Thanks Jeb

11:20 AM (2 hours ago)

to me
Dear Jeb,
How many horses have died at the facility since Jan 1 2013?
Best,
Anne Novak
Anne Novak
Executive Director
Protect Mustangs
San Francisco Bay Area
Tel./Text: 415.531.8454
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 native 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