Feds asked to block sale, slaughter of wild horses in Nevada

RENO — Wild horse advocates are seeking an emergency court order to block the sale of what they say are federally protected mustangs rounded up illegally by a Nevada tribe and headed for an auction that could send them to slaughter.

Under pressure from critics, the U.S. Forest Service earlier this week abandoned plans for a $120,000 government roundup of hundreds of horses in collaboration with the Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Tribe near the Oregon border.

But the agency agreed to let the tribe proceed gathering up to 700 horses on its own and sell them at a livestock auction Saturday in Fallon.

Lawyers for Wild Horse Education said the U.S. agencies themselves are responsible for ensuring the protection of the horses. They want DNA testing before any animals are sold.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.