A lot of you don't know what the "Stewart Amendment" is, since it's hidden deep inside the 2017 House Interior Appropriations Bill (HR 5538) as Section 444. And then again in Senates version of the bill (S. 3068) as Section 110. It's really no surprise that we don't know it's there, especially sense it's not only one of the shortest but most poorly and cleverly worded section in the entire bill.
The Amendment reads: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior may transfer excess wild horses or burros that have been removed from the public lands to other Federal, State, and local government agencies for use as work animals:
Provided, That the Secretary may make any such transfer immediately upon request of such Federal, State, or local government agency: Provided further, That any excess animal transferred under this provision shall lose its status as a wild free-roaming horse or burro as defined in the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act:
Provided further, That any Federal, State, or local government agency receiving excess wild horses or burros as authorized in this section shall not destroy the horses or burros in a way that results in their destruction into commercial products, or sell or otherwise transfer the horses in a way that results in their destruction for processing into commercial products.
– House (H.R. 5538)
https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr5538/BILLS-114hr5538rh.pdf
– Senate (S. 3068):
https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s3068/BILLS-114s3068pcs.pdf
The “Stewart Amendment” that allows the BLM to remove any and all the Mustangs protection under the Wild Horse and Burro Act so that they may give the animals to any “… Federal, State or local government agencies to use as work animals.” (Seriously, how many "Government agencies" need or will use wild mustangs or horses? It's not like we have the Calvary anymore.)
What I also find interesting that it only states that they can't destroy the horses for "processing into commercial products." The only thing this bill will not allow is outside entities to euthanize the burros or horses, BUT any Federal, State or local government agency CAN euthanize them as long as they are not used in commercial products, nor can they turn them over to anyone who would euthanize them to process them into commercial products. This bill does absolutely nothing to protect these animals, just gives the government the authorisation to destroy them! So tell me just how many of these wild horses do you think are just going to disappear. As long as they aren't being killed for product use they can kill as many mustangs as they please. Make no mistake this bill is not being past to protect these horses and burros it's being put in place so that the government may eradicate their existence for selfish gain.
Just think, if our government is going to start slaughtering our wild horses what's going to happen to our "well bred" horses when slaughter houses start going up across the country. This is just the first step into making horse slaughter legal nation wide.
Please take a moment sign this position. We can not let this happen, it's time to take a stand
Updates
September 4, 2016
im honestly kind of stunned we hit 250 signatures. i didnt think this many people would care about what is hidden in those bills but here we are and its really cool to see.
Reached 250 supporters
September 2, 2016
September 1, 2016
we are almost at 250 signatures and it would be huge to cross that line today. please send this link to a few people who care about these horses so we can keep the momentum going.
Reached 100 supporters
August 31, 2016
August 29, 2016
we are almost at 100 signatures and i really need you guys to keep pushing this until we hit that mark. lets show them people are watching what they are doing with these horses.
178 Comments
The BLM is Government....Government is the wishes of the residents of this Country "governing" the BLM. The "people" wish that the horses and burros remain on BLM holdings as "heritage" animals!
Our wild horses are a treasure and need to be protected from man. No killing, no slaughter, no shipping to other countries for slaughter. No transferring to state, federal, or local agencies.
The "Stewart Amendment" is just another attempt at putting profit over life. Putting the lives and welfare of the wild horses in the hands of the States is unacceptable and irresponsible and you know it is Madame Secretary.
There is no overpopulation of wild horses and burros. Changing their "management" from BLM to individual states will not change population unless the agenda is to destroy them. Stop this brutality toward our living historical icons!
Please veto the Stewart Amendment to stop the transfer of wild horses to states. This amendment would enable states to sell of large quantities of these federally protected horses to middlemen who will send them to slaughter.
The government has once again over- stepped in an inhumane way!!!! This cannot be allowed. Too many cows are being brutally slaughtered too
Unless we stand up and fight for the rights of all equine - like line some of our so-called political members up in a slaughterhouse and proceed to slaughter them, mistreatment of horses will never stop until the Lord's Second Coming - which cannot be soon enough for me!
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
A lot of you don't know what the "Stewart Amendment" is, since it's hidden deep inside the 2017 House Interior Appropriations Bill (HR 5538) as Section 444. And then again in Senates version of the bill (S. 3068) as Section 110. It's really no surprise that we don't know it's there, especially sense it's not only one of the shortest but most poorly and cleverly worded section in the entire bill.
The Amendment reads: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior may transfer excess wild horses or burros that have been removed from the public lands to other Federal, State, and local government agencies for use as work animals:
Provided, That the Secretary may make any such transfer immediately upon request of such Federal, State, or local government agency: Provided further, That any excess animal transferred under this provision shall lose its status as a wild free-roaming horse or burro as defined in the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act:
Provided further, That any Federal, State, or local government agency receiving excess wild horses or burros as authorized in this section shall not destroy the horses or burros in a way that results in their destruction into commercial products, or sell or otherwise transfer the horses in a way that results in their destruction for processing into commercial products.
– House (H.R. 5538)
https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr5538/BILLS-114hr5538rh.pdf
– Senate (S. 3068):
https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s3068/BILLS-114s3068pcs.pdf
The “Stewart Amendment” that allows the BLM to remove any and all the Mustangs protection under the Wild Horse and Burro Act so that they may give the animals to any “… Federal, State or local government agencies to use as work animals.” (Seriously, how many "Government agencies" need or will use wild mustangs or horses? It's not like we have the Calvary anymore.)
What I also find interesting that it only states that they can't destroy the horses for "processing into commercial products." The only thing this bill will not allow is outside entities to euthanize the burros or horses, BUT any Federal, State or local government agency CAN euthanize them as long as they are not used in commercial products, nor can they turn them over to anyone who would euthanize them to process them into commercial products. This bill does absolutely nothing to protect these animals, just gives the government the authorisation to destroy them! So tell me just how many of these wild horses do you think are just going to disappear. As long as they aren't being killed for product use they can kill as many mustangs as they please. Make no mistake this bill is not being past to protect these horses and burros it's being put in place so that the government may eradicate their existence for selfish gain.
Just think, if our government is going to start slaughtering our wild horses what's going to happen to our "well bred" horses when slaughter houses start going up across the country. This is just the first step into making horse slaughter legal nation wide.
Please take a moment sign this position. We can not let this happen, it's time to take a stand
Updates
September 4, 2016
im honestly kind of stunned we hit 250 signatures. i didnt think this many people would care about what is hidden in those bills but here we are and its really cool to see.
Reached 250 supporters
September 2, 2016
September 1, 2016
we are almost at 250 signatures and it would be huge to cross that line today. please send this link to a few people who care about these horses so we can keep the momentum going.
Reached 100 supporters
August 31, 2016
August 29, 2016
we are almost at 100 signatures and i really need you guys to keep pushing this until we hit that mark. lets show them people are watching what they are doing with these horses.
178 Comments
Leave the wild horses and burros alone. Let resource competition regulate herd size. They aren't furniture for the government to use, abuse, scare, etc. The government is suppose to *protect* them in their natural wild habitat (not take advantage of them).
The BLM is Government....Government is the wishes of the residents of this Country "governing" the BLM. The "people" wish that the horses and burros remain on BLM holdings as "heritage" animals!
Our wild horses are a treasure and need to be protected from man. No killing, no slaughter, no shipping to other countries for slaughter. No transferring to state, federal, or local agencies.
The "Stewart Amendment" is just another attempt at putting profit over life. Putting the lives and welfare of the wild horses in the hands of the States is unacceptable and irresponsible and you know it is Madame Secretary.
There is no overpopulation of wild horses and burros. Changing their "management" from BLM to individual states will not change population unless the agenda is to destroy them. Stop this brutality toward our living historical icons!
Please veto the Stewart Amendment to stop the transfer of wild horses to states. This amendment would enable states to sell of large quantities of these federally protected horses to middlemen who will send them to slaughter.
The government has once again over- stepped in an inhumane way!!!! This cannot be allowed. Too many cows are being brutally slaughtered too
Unless we stand up and fight for the rights of all equine - like line some of our so-called political members up in a slaughterhouse and proceed to slaughter them, mistreatment of horses will never stop until the Lord's Second Coming - which cannot be soon enough for me!
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 500 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Leave the wild horses and burros alone. Let resource competition regulate herd size. They aren't furniture for the government to use, abuse, scare, etc. The government is suppose to *protect* them in their natural wild habitat (not take advantage of them).