Dear Dr. Drotar,
We, the undersigned members of the public, are writing to express our deep concern over the continuing situation in and around the Heber Wild Horse Territory in the Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest, Black Mesa Ranger District. Under your leadership, the national wild horse and burro program has been put on notice that conditions at Heber are becoming intolerable—for the wild horses, for the law, and for the public that you are obligated to serve.
Since 2018, dozens of federally protected Heber wild horses have been found shot and left where they fell, with at least 13 killed so far in 2026 alone. To date, we are unaware of any public announcement that the perpetrator or perpetrators have been identified, charged, or prosecuted, and we have seen no transparent accounting of the agencies’ investigative efforts in response to these crimes.
At the same time, field reports and photographs show corrals and trap‑like structures on or near the Territory that appear to be associated with livestock permittees, not with a clearly identified, CAWS‑compliant wild horse gather operation. Local Forest Service staff have reportedly stated that no new construction permit has been issued and that no capture contract has been signed, yet construction and stated impending use of these corrals has continued.
The Heber Wild Horse Territory Management Plan and the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Standards (CAWS) are not optional. Under that plan, any trap or holding facility used to capture Heber wild horses must be designed, built, and operated in full compliance with CAWS and the plan’s specific provisions, including requirements for fencing, jute use, and measures to prevent injury and entanglement. Corrals constructed out of barbed wire or other hazardous materials do not meet those standards and cannot lawfully be used to trap or hold wild horses.
In light of these facts, we respectfully request that you:
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Issue a formal, public written update on the Heber Wild Horse Territory that addresses:
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The status and findings of all investigations into the shootings of Heber wild horses since 2018, including the 13 confirmed kills in 2026.
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Any steps the agency has taken to improve law enforcement presence, evidence collection, and public reporting related to these shootings.
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Provide full transparency regarding any corrals, traps, or holding facilities on or near the Heber Wild Horse Territory by disclosing:
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The location, purpose, and authorizing documents (permits, contracts, or agreements) for each such facility.
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Any CAWS and design‑criteria reviews conducted, including written determinations of compliance or non‑compliance.
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Any involvement by livestock permittees or private contractors in constructing or operating these facilities.
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Affirm, in writing, that:
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No wild horse capture, removal, or bait‑trapping related to Heber will occur under your program unless and until every trap, corral, and handling practice is fully CAWS‑compliant and approved through proper procedures.
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Any side agreements or informal arrangements that circumvent NEPA, the Heber Territory Management Plan, or the 1971 Wild Free‑Roaming Horses and Burros Act will not be tolerated.
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Commit to a public meeting or webinar dedicated to Heber within the next 60 days, allowing local residents, advocates, and interested members of the public to ask questions and receive answers from responsible officials.
The Heber Wild Horse Territory exists today because the courts and the public insisted that federal law be followed. The ongoing shootings, the apparent tolerance of non‑CAWS‑compliant corrals, and the lack of clear, timely communication from your office are undermining that fragile trust and putting this small herd at further risk.
We urge you to take immediate, visible steps to restore public confidence by enforcing CAWS, honoring the Heber plan, and treating the Heber wild horses as the protected wild free‑roaming horses they are under federal law—not as a problem to be quietly trapped away.
Sincerely,