Painted Mare & Colt (Click to enlarge)
You’ve already met this stiff legged little fella in the Painted Colt post. I thought I’d post him with his mom today to celebrate what is being called a huge victory in the fight to save the wild mustang from near extinction.
The Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, has championed the cause of ranching conglomerates in their quest to eliminate the wild mustang herds. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been tasked with the removal of the West Douglas Herd of Wild Mustangs from their range in Colorado. On August 5, 2009, Judge Rosemary M. Collyer of the United States District Court, District of Columbia, ruled as follows: “For reasons explained herein, the Court finds that BLM’s decision to remove the West Douglas Herd exceeds the scope of authority that Congress delegated to it in the Wild Horse Act. The Court will grant in part Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment, deny Defendants’ cross motion for summary judgment, and set aside BLM’s decision.”
Judge Collyer further slaps the BLM with harsh statements reminding them that it’s against the law to remove a wild free-roaming horse or burro from public lands, convert a wild free-roaming horse or burro to private use, or kill or harass a wild free-roaming horse or burro.
You may say to yourself, “What is this to me? I don’t have, love, ride or know horses. I live in a city, town or suburb with my beloved dog/cat/bird.” If you cannot grasp the meaning of extinction of a wild species; if you cannot know how related to our own dear causes this horse slaughter is, then you probably landed on this blog by accident or you’re a photographer wanting to pick up a few extra bucks by shooting pets. You may not have learned that capturing good photographs of animals means knowing, understanding and loving them. Perhaps I can point you to some information which I hope will open your heart to the plight of another animal. If I can’t…well, bye, bye. But if you understand how linked to our own human history these great herds are, join us. If you can embrace the wrenching fear and sadness these animals face as they are trapped and held for slaughter, then cheer this victory with us and write to your congressperson and senators and tell them you want more.
In the Painted Colt post you will learn more about the cause and the plight. Joe Camp’s blog entry on August 6th, Federal Court Slaps the BLM – Says Mustang Removal Illegal, gives more information about the ruling. If you are owned by a little dog and think that you don’t love all dogs, reconsider, for the heart which loves one will flourish with the love of many. The heart which can love many species can soar, but the heart that loves all can heal the world.
Recent Comments