HEBER — Nine federally protected wild horses were recently shot and killed on the Black Mesa Ranger District, according to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Investigators are offering a $5,000 reward, and Friends of the Heber Wild Horses are contributing an additional $5,000.
The USDA Forest Service is seeking information from the public about the recent killing of nine horses on the Black Mesa Ranger District.
“All nine horses showed evidence of bullet wounds, indicating they were shot. Necropsies were completed, and the carcasses were buried,” said the Ranger District.
The USDA Forest Service is urging anyone with information to contact the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office tipline at 928-524-9908 to report their tips.
A $5,000 reward is being offered by the USDA Forest Service for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the recent shootings of the federally protected horses in the area.
Betty Nixon with the Friends of the Heber Wild Horses said, “I hope someone comes forward with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for these heinous killings of federally protected wild free-roaming horses. I have personally added $5,000 to the reward, bringing the total to $10,000 for information leading to their arrest and conviction.”
The Heber Wild Horse Territory (HWHT) is approximately 19,700 acres near Black Canyon Lake and is located on the Black Mesa Ranger District on the Sitgreaves portion of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs). The designation of territories for the use and protection of wild horses followed the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. The Heber Wild Horses are protected under Federal Law.
In 2007, the Forest Service entered into a Stipulation Agreement to develop a written Territory Management Strategy (Plan) in compliance with the Act and other relevant laws and regulations that govern Forest Service procedures. Creating a management plan for the HWHT will help ensure the sustainability of natural resources and horse populations in the territory.
A series of unsolved shootings of federally protected wild horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests near Heber, Arizona, began in 2018. Dozens of horses have been found shot to death, but no arrests have been made to date.
Contact the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office tipline with information at 928-524-9908.
This is breaking news and will be updated when more information becomes available.
