I Support Continued Humane Management by SRWHMG

Petition to the Honorable Katie Hobbs, Governor of Arizona, and Paul E. Brierley, Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture

We, the undersigned, are individuals, officials, mayors, and local businesses, who are deeply invested in our Arizona treasure, the Salt River Herd. We collectively and respectfully call on you to reconsider a Request for Proposal (RFP) that is not in accordance with state law and to continue supporting the humane protection and thoughtful management of the Salt River wild horses.

As you know, these iconic animals are a living symbol of Arizona’s heritage, resilience, and natural beauty. They have roamed the Salt River region for centuries and are mentioned as "native stock in the Salt River Valley", in the Arizona State Archives in articles from 1890.

Generations of Arizonans have drawn inspiration, pride, and connection from their presence on our public lands.

In 2015, the public rose up in one of the largest grassroots advocacy movements in Arizona history to save them — and in 2016, the Salt River Horse Act was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support to ensure their legal protection and humane management. In fact, Governor Hobbs, then a senator, voted for the bill herself and Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth supported the bill and was at the signing by Governor Ducey.

 The Salt River Act states: 

“A person shall not interfere with, take, chase, capture or euthanize a horse that is part of the Salt River horse herd without written authorization...
The department or the county sheriff may provide written authorization only for humane purposes.”

Furthermore, the Salt River Horse Act clarifies that Salt River wild horses are not stray livestock and are not subject to livestock removal laws such as ARS § 3-1371 and §3-1402. Therefore the AZDA does not appear to have the authority to require removals of healthy wild horses.

Despite this, the current RFP aims to reduce the herd too quickly and too drastically, placing it on a path to self-destruction; it requires the removal of 3 adult horses for every foal born. Such a reduction, if managed carelessly, could make the herd nonviable, threatening its long-term survival and robbing future generations of the opportunity to witness these majestic animals roam free in their natural habitat.

In addition, removals and adoptions are unnecessary, because, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) three times in a row, concluding that the Tonto National Forest is not required to remove ANY Salt River wild horses.

The claims that the horses are "ruining the environment" are not supported by evidence. Experts instead point to the impact of over 8 million annual visitors to the Tonto National Forest — a far greater environmental footprint than 280 wild horses on 19,900 acres, could ever make. 

Also please keep in mind the positive effects of wild horses for which they get little credit:

• Attract eco-tourism and are a boon to our local economies
• Significantly reduce wildfire risk and severity through natural grazing
• Support native plant and tree restoration through live seed dispersal
• Promote public education, photography, and outdoor recreation

Thankfully, the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) has already proven that humane management works:

• The herd has already been reduced by 40% through SRWHMG's humane management approach
• Their fertility control program has reduced births from 100 foals per year to just 2 — a model now recognized nationally.
• They don't mind removing aging and injured horses to sanctuary, as this is covered under humane purposes in the law.  
• They maintain fencing and improve safety, and perform daily habitat cleanups, helping the environment. 
• Their efforts keep the forest in balance, and save the state millions — all at no cost to taxpayers.

We urge Governor Hobbs and Director Brierley to:

• ✅ Uphold the spirit and letter of the Salt River Horse Act, ARS § 3-1491
• ✅ Continue humane, science-based management in partnership with SRWHMG

Let’s honor our state’s proud history, the will of the people, and a working solution that reflects compassion and common sense.

Humane wild horse management works — please let it continue.