SALT LAKE CITY — A reward of $22,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for killing two wild horse stallions about 60 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.
Multiple advocacy groups and organizations, including the Bureau of Land Management came together to offer the reward.
“Everyone is deeply disturbed and I think on top of that, it creates concern for public safety as well,” said Jennifer Rogers, founder of local Tooele Onaqui horse organization ‘Red Birds Trust.’
Over 2.5 million acres of state land belongs to Utah’s wild horses. The many miles southwest of the Dugway Proving Ground have been home to the Onaqui horses since the 1800s.
“There’s something so beautiful about them being so wild and their spirit just remaining untamed,” said Rogers. “Photographers come from all over the United States and abroad to photograph these horses.”
BLM officials received word from a member of the public that two wild horse stallions had been shot near the Simpson Springs Mountain Road on March 19.
Investigators believe the shooting happened just two to three days before the initial report.
“It’s happened in southern Utah. It’s happening in Arizona quite frequently, but it hasn’t happened here,” said Rogers.
There’s a third horse that was known to travel with the pair. Rogers said Junpei, the one-and-a-half-year-old colt, is now missing. Jasper was extremely protective of the little one.
The crime of killing a wild horse is illegal and punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine, BLM officials state.
Advocates say they are "devastated" to learn about the killing of "two well-known Onaqui stallions" and they are ready to hold those responsible accountable.
Those with information about the shooting are asked to call the BLM Utah Law Enforcement Tipline at 800-722-3998. Anonymous tips are welcomed as well.
“Not only is it a federal offense, they’re protected wild animals,” said Rogers. “It’s just sick.”
