Washington, DC –  Today Representative Dina Titus, a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, introduced the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2022.

Currently, in efforts to control equine populations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is directed to humanely capture wild free-roaming horses and burros, and set them up for adoption. To assist in the round-up – or “gathering” – of wild horses and burros, BLM contracts directly with private enterprises to round up equines at rates between $500 and $800 per animal. This includes contracting out to helicopter “cowboys” to roundup horses over prolonged distances – situations that are frightening and sometimes deadly to the animals. Scientific research shows that more humane and cost-effective alternatives exist to control equine populations, including fertility controls. However, the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program currently spends less than one percent of its budget on fertility controls.

The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2022 would help advance BLM’s directive to humanely capture horses and provide a significant savings to taxpayers. 

“Nevada is home to the largest population of wild horses in the nation. Taxpayer-funded roundups and removals are not only costly and ineffective management strategy, they endanger the lives of these animals, particularly when helicopters are used, as we’ve seen time and again,” said Rep. Titus, a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. “The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2022 would eliminate the use of helicopters in BLM wild horse gathers, employ more cowboys, and require the Government Accountability Office to explore specific, humane alternatives to protect these icons of the American West which remain a source of pride for Nevada residents.”