LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Plans to relocate horses off Mt. Charleston are still currently “on hold” but are imminent, according to officials with the U.S. Forest Service.
A USFS spokesperson tells FOX5 on Wednesday that officials are still waiting on dates to proceed with relocation, but are still accepting applications for adoptions.
In May, the USFS told FOX5 about a delay for relocation plans:
This spring, FOX5 spoke with Wild Fire’s Wild and Free Mustangs, who applied to adopt the horses. CEO Kim Donahue tells FOX5, they are constantly communicating with the USFS to plan and prepare for adoption and relocation.
Last week, USFS told FOX5, the rescue’s application is still being processed.
In April, USFS officials shared the following and provided this statement about the reasons for relocation and rescue efforts:
The herd on the Mountain has birthed two foals this past spring. Donahue tells FOX5 by phone, due to the heat, relocation delays are best for the safety of the herd and especially the foals.
Relocation plans have been contentious and hotly debated. A petition started last year gained 25,000 signatures from mountain residents, Valley residents and tourists. Proponents of keeping the horses on the mountain argue that federal officials should ramp up enforcement and penalties against people who approach and touch horses.
Various encounters with horses have been dangerous for children and horses: this spring, a boy was kicked by a horse in Kyle Canyon. Last year, a girl was kicked in the head. FOX5 also reported a video that surfaced on social media which showed a man messing with a wild horse’s face just to take a selfie.
FOX5 has also reported how tourists keep feeding the wild horses, leading the animals to dumpster-dive in trash cans.
Residents like Misty Haji-Sheikh tell FOX5, the relocation is urgent: people are petting the little foals and their parents are teaching them to look to humans for food.
“They think him of them as a giant petting zoo. I have seen people put their babies on these horses. These horses are technically feral. They have never been tamed and they will kick you, they will bite you. They will steal your picnic food,” Haji-Sheikh said.
Touching or feeding a wild horse or burro can result in a fine up to $5,000 and jail time of up to six months.
Federal officials explain precautions families and visitors must take:
- Maintain a distance of at least 40 feet from a horse
- If a horse approaches you, back away, get into your vehicle and roll up the windows
- A minimum distance of 40 feet may not be enough, depending on the circumstances
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