BLM investigates deaths of three wild horses, offers reward for information
Jan 6, 2025, 4:59 PM | Updated: 5:00 pm
Aerial photo depict the general area in the Mineral Range Mountains where the wild horses were discovered. (Bureau of Land Management)
(Bureau of Land Management)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Bureau of Land Management is asking the public for information related to the deaths of three wild horses in the Mineral Range Mountains.
The BLM said a civilian found the bodies of three wild horses northwest of Minersville Reservoir on Saturday. The civilian reported the bodies to the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office.
Based on evidence, the BLM believes the animals were likely shot several days before they were found.
The agency is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the deaths. Anyone who may have seen anything between Dec. 28 and Jan. 3 can call the BLM’s Utah tipline at (800) 722-3998.
Shooting wild horses is illegal
According to American Wild Horse Conservation, “shooting or killing a wild horse is a serious federal crime.”
The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 prohibits capturing, harassing, and killing wild burros and horses. In the act, congress defined the animals as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.”
According to reporting by the Deseret News, harassing, capturing, or killing the animals can result in up to a year of prison time and/or a fine.
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