Return to Freedom Demands Accountability Following Wild Horse Slaughter Report

The Bureau of Land Management has long faced criticism for its sales program, which critics argue provides a backdoor for bad actors to profit from the exploitation of mustangs. Since the 2005 Burns Amendment gutted long-standing protections, thousands of horses have been sold to bidders despite weak contractual language intended to block their entry into the slaughter industry. This loophole allowed buyers to acquire animals for as little as $1.00, often resulting in their immediate transport to facilities in Mexico and Canada.

While the Bureau of Land Management recently increased the sales fee to $125 and updated its bill of sale to hold buyers accountable for "recklessly or negligently" offloading animals, advocates argue these measures remain insufficient without rigorous enforcement. Return to Freedom founder Neda DeMayo emphasized that while policy reforms represent a necessary shift, they are not a substitute for federal law. The organization is now calling on Congress to pass the SAFE Act, which would establish a permanent prohibition on both domestic horse slaughter and the export of equines for the same purpose.

Return to Freedom continues to monitor the situation, tracking instances where branded horses appear at auctions frequented by kill buyers. By documenting these cases and presenting evidence to federal officials, the group aims to close the gap between current administrative policy and the practical reality faced by horses removed from public lands.