In a landmark victory for wild horse protection, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado overturned the Bureau of Land Management’s controversial Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) due to violations of federal laws. The court found that the program incentivized the unnecessary suffering and slaughter of federally protected wild horses and burros by paying individuals to adopt them.
The court’s decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by Eubanks & Associates, PLLC on behalf of American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), Skydog Sanctuary, Carol Walker, and other petitioners. The ruling stated that the BLM failed to conduct proper notice-and-comment and environmental review procedures before implementing the AIP, leading to the program’s overturn.
The AIP, launched in 2019, allowed adopters to receive $1,000 per wild horse or burro adopted, leading to many animals being sent to slaughter auctions after being adopted. The court found that the BLM’s program was not only unlawful but also fundamentally at odds with the agency’s duty to protect these iconic animals and treat them humanely. The ruling was seen as a victory for wild horse advocates who fought for transparency and accountability in the treatment of these animals.
