Wild Mustangs and Burros Are Still Ending Up in Kill Pens—Despite Federal Protections

At Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sales and adoption events, wild Mustangs and burros continue to surface in kill pens—despite explicit federal rules prohibiting this outcome.

In 2012, then–Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar strengthened BLM’s contracts with buyers. These agreements clearly forbid purchasers from directly or indirectly sending animals to slaughter, including through resale to middlemen who do so. The contract language is unambiguous:

No indirect sales to slaughter – Buyers must not knowingly transfer animals to anyone who intends to kill them or turn them into commercial products.

Voidable sales & prosecution – Any misrepresentation or violation can void the sale and result in prosecution.

Yet in over a decade, there is no public record of the BLM prosecuting a single buyer for violating this provision. Meanwhile, Mustangs and burros purchased for as little as $25 at BLM events are appearing in kill pens within weeks or months—clear evidence of contract violations.

Once in kill pens, the price to “bail” them out is drastically inflated, creating a profitable market for kill buyers and brokers. After bail is paid, the animals must still be quarantined and transported, pushing costs into the thousands—burdens that fall on already overextended rescues and well-meaning donors.

To make matters worse, some of these animals are “recycled” through multiple auctions after funds are raised, scamming the public and prolonging suffering. In the end, Mustangs are being exploited not in spite of, but because of their identity as Mustangs—betrayed by a system that claims to protect them.

JOIN US on a petition to call on the BLM to:

Investigate all cases where Mustangs or burros appear in kill pens after sale.

Void sales found to violate contract terms.

Prosecute violators in accordance with federal law and the 2012 provisions and ban them from purchasing again.

Report publicly on enforcement actions to restore transparency and public trust.

Mustangs in kill pens within a month of Purchase from Pauls Valley OK BLM holding facility