HEBER-OVERGAARD - There is no update or information the US Forest Service’s new Law Enforcement Investigation Division (LEI) can provide to the public of the death of 28 Heber wild horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNF).
But that doesn’t mean they aren’t working on the cases yet. ASNF Forest Inspector Anthony Madrid assured Forest Service Independent Public Affairs Specialist Katie Speranske that he “has been in contact with investigators as we are all eagerly awaiting updates”.
“Law enforcement agencies are currently unable to provide additional details as they may be jeopardizing their investigations, but they are actively investigating,” said Speranske and “investigators are continuing to work towards a safe solution.”
The Independent has been following the Heber Wild Horse shootings since October 2018 when two stallions were shot outside of Overgaard. It is believed by the community that the person (s) who shot the stallions in October 2018 is the same person who shot them intermittently over the past two years.
A total of 28 Heber wild horses were confirmed shot or died as a result of their injuries between October 2018 and January 2021. There were other horse carcasses in the forest that were too decomposed for the type and cause of death to be determined, according to the forest service in previous press releases.
The last confirmed shootings of Heber wild horses took place on January 9th. On January 13th, the forest service confirmed four dead horses “due to gunshot wounds”.
Following the January 9 report to forest officials regarding the dead horses, a public notice indicated that there may be a fifth dead horse in the same area of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
Officials confirmed a total of five deceased horses, including four adult horses (one of which was a pregnant mare) that had died on the spot. A foal with serious injuries from gunshot wounds was found alive and had to be euthanized.
The end altogether – five more dead horses.
No one has yet been arrested for shooting Heber Wild Horses in the forest east of Heber-Overgaard.
However, the shootings go back much further than they did in 2018 and have been a source of fierce fighting since their first protection in 2007. They are now included in the Wild, Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.
Since 2007, the US forest service Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has been responsible for developing the Heber Wild Horse Territory Management Plan. This means that it is their responsibility to manage the horses including their population, their location and the balancing of forest use by multiple stakeholders.
The Heber wild horse population increased after the 2011 rodeo chediski fire. The fire burned fences and horses flowed in and out of the Apache Sitgreaves National Forests.
After 14 years, the forest service has finally drawn up a plan for the management of the Heber wild horse herds. It has been publicly commented on several times in the past two years.
It is currently in the process of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Forest Service has sent the plan to people and organizations that have expressed an interest in the NEPA planning process.
The Forest Service will, where possible, include public comments in the proposal and its analysis. From there, the forest service will prepare an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Act and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations.
The environmental review will go through a further public comment phase so that changes can be taken into account as needed.
The final draft and the environmental assessment will be made available to commentators. This is followed by the objection period.
The public is encouraged to report this type of incident to the tipline at the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office: 1-800-78 CRIME (27463). Law enforcement is offering up to $ 5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
To report a dead or injured horse, contact the Black Mesa Ranger District at 928-535-7300.
For additional questions, please contact the Apache-Sitgreaves NF supervisor office at 928-333-6280 or visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.
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