CALL TO ACTION
Outrage and Demand for Answers Erupt Over Wild Stallion’s Shooting on the Pryor Mountains
A message from EA President & Founder Susan Wagner:
Dear Friends,
The senseless, needless and cruel killing of Echo, a beloved Wild Stallion, by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the Pryor Mountains this week has sent shockwaves across the country. Horse advocates, equine protection organizations, horse lovers and outraged citizens are demanding answers as to how and why this was permitted to happen and who gave the order to do it. The decision to fatally shoot Echo was made “…without public transparency or veterinary consultation…” for the lame excuse that he “looked thin.” It is not uncommon for some Wild Horses to appear thinner following harsh weather conditions like the ones that existed in different parts of the country this past winter.
Echo was the grandson of the legendary Cloud, whose life inspired the founding of The Cloud Foundation. Founder Ginger Kathrens said, “Echo deserved a chance to recover, as so many wild horses do. Instead, he was shot behind closed doors under a vague policy that gives BLM far too much unchecked power.” She said the BLM Field Office in Billings, Montana, cited a policy directive named PIM 2021-007 to justify their cruel actions.
Renowned wild horse expert, photographer and advocate Carol Walker issued a stern warning stating that this could be the start of a dangerous trend to eradicate all Wild Horses and Burros on our Public Lands. Walker is concerned that PIM 2021-007, along with Project 2025’s language to kill Wild Horses and Burros, will now be used as excuses for the BLM to kill them on Public Lands and in BLM holding facilities. “This is a violation of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act,” said Walker. Since that sweeping and historic act was passed 54 years ago, special interests in the ranching and fossil fuel industries began using their political power to chip away and weaken it with disastrous amendments and government policies. They include the Burns Amendment (2003), The Path Forward (2019) and most recently Project 2025, which calls for the killing of Wild Horses and Burros.
The fatal shooting of Echo is nothing short of outrageous and should never have happened! I am asking each of you to please take the time to make some calls to express your feelings and make your voices heard. Both Walker and Kathrens are emphasizing the importance of ensuring that Echo did not die in vain. We must use this unfortunate and horrible occurrence to prevent other Wild Horses and Burros from falling victim to the same deadly fate.
These are the main talking points:
- Firmly, but politely, demand that the BLM’s PIM 2021-007 be discontinued immediately and that PIM 2021-007 and Project 2025 NOT be used as excuses to secretly kill Wild Horses and Burros to lower herd numbers.
- Tell the BLM and your respective lawmakers to “kill the BLM’s PIM 2021-007, before it’s used to kill any more Wild Horses and Burros.”
Contact the Billings BLM Field Office:
- 406-896-5013
- 406-896-5000
- 406-896-5223
Contact members of the U.S. Congress:
Contact the White House:
- 202-456-7041
- 202-456-1111
Let’s get busy and light up the phones!
Most sincerely,
Susan Wagner, President & Founder
