LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — In a recent interview, Congresswoman Dina Titus first shared with the 8 News Now I-Team she wanted to eliminate helicopters during the capturing of wild horses.

The I-Team first released a video of contractors hired by the Bureau of Land Management, using a helicopter to chase a horse with a broken leg that took place in January.

“But the roundups with helicopters are the worst. You saw the pictures from the most recent one at the Pancake area near Ely, where they chased that little colt till he just ran down, and then they had to shoot him. What purpose does that serve?” Titus expressed.

The animal was eventually euthanized but that’s after it had been placed in a truck and driven on bumpy land.

The BLM captured the wild horses at an area called the Pancake Complex, which is about a four-hour drive north of Las Vegas.

“So we need to find another method, and the first thing we can do is get rid of, outlaw ban those helicopters,” Titus added.

While congresswoman Titus is introducing the wild horse and burro protection act, the BLM will hold its annual hearing on the use of the equipment she wants to ban.
Members of the public can weigh in virtually on Tuesday, April 26th.

Laura Leigh of advocacy group Wild Horse Education says she is hoping more members of the public will speak against the BLM’s actions and she wants the BLM to take concerns seriously.
Leigh provided the I-Team with the wild horse roundup video and says she will continue to expose mistreatment such as that incident.

“So that people can see it with their own eyes and see how urgently change is needed,” Leigh added.

According to Congresswoman Titus, the contractors the BLM hires to capture the horses get about $500 to $800 dollars per horse. She says fertility control is more cost-effective and would save taxpayers money.

The 8 News Now I-Team previously reported on a program where contractors used darts with birth control.

The Biden Administration also recently allocated more money in the budget for the fertility program.

BLM public hearing on the use of motorized vehicles for wild horse and burro management

  • WHEN: Tuesday, April 26, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. MT
  • WHERE: Zoom video conference at BLM.gov/live
  • NOTE: For more information on the hearing contact Wild Horse and Burro National Information Center at 866-468-7826 or wildhorse@blm.gov