Pyrite, also known as Goldie Glory, a popular stallion from the Onaqui wild horse herd in Utah, was shot and killed on November 3rd. The stallion died seven days later from its injuries. This incident marks at least the 60th wild horse or burro to be killed on public lands since 2022.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service are investigating the crime, but a reward has been offered by several organizations, including the American Wild Horse Conservation, to encourage individuals with information to come forward.
According to the BLM, 25 wild horses were shot in San Juan County in 2022-2023, and other recent shootings have occurred in the Onaqui Herd Management Area, Death Valley, and the Virginia Range. The BLM West Desert District Manager Mike Gates has stated that “Harassing, capturing or killing wild horses is illegal and punishable by up to a year in prison and/or a fine.”
The AWHC has pledged over $35,000 in reward funds to support investigations and has called for a task force to be formed to investigate the shootings. However, the BLM has not responded, and the U.S. Forest Service has declined to pursue an investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident near Dugway Proving Ground is encouraged to contact the BLM’s Law Enforcement Tipline at (800) 637-9152.