PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL RICK PERRY UNDER FIRE FOR WILD BURRO SLAUGHTER
Gov. Rick Perry hunting ~ photo courtesy of Houston Chronicle
WASHINGTON, DC (WBPL) – More than 60,000 people across the nation have joined an increasingly popular campaign on Change.org calling on Texas governor and Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry to stop the extermination of wild burros on state land.
News of the online petition campaign’s rapidly growing support is likely to increase pressure on Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose involvement in the wild burro slaughter could potentially spark comparisons to Sarah Palin, the former Alaskan governor and vice presidential candidate who faced heavy criticism for allowing aerial hunting of wolves in her home state. In 2009, dozens of wild burros were killed in Texas with sniper rifles, and activists have expressed concern that officials may also be shooting the animals from helicopters.
“This atrocity has gone on for far too long,” said Karen Van Atta Luce, who worked with the Wild Burro Protection League (WBPL), a coalition of animal advocates and scientists, to launch the campaign on Change.org. “It is absolutely shocking that Governor Perry and Texas Parks and Wildlife haven’t recognized what incredible living assets the wild burros are.”
WBPL founder Marjorie Farabee, the nation’s leading voice for wild burro protection and Director of Wild Horse Freedom Federation‘s Wild Burro Program, added, “It is an outrage that an animal that has served man faithfully for over 6,000 years is repaid in such an unkind and brutal manner. Yet because Texas Parks and Wildlife wants to bring in bighorn sheep for hunting, and since the Desert Bighorn Council won’t release the bighorn while burros are present, they chose for all of us and decided to sacrifice the burro.”
WBPL launched the campaign on Change.org after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with Governor Perry’s approval, began implementing a policy to exterminate the fewer than 300 remaining wild burros on state land. The petition states that “Texas is killing wild burros to make way for hunting opportunities for wealthy hunters.”
“What the Wild Burro Protection League is doing is truly remarkable,” said Stephanie Feldstein, Director of Organizing at Change.org, the world’s fastest growing platform for social change. “Although the wild burros are in Texas, these concerned citizens are using Change.org to reach Americans across the country who are worried about the plight of this national heritage species. Change.org empowers anyone, anywhere to start campaigns on issues they care about, and it’s been really incredible to watch this campaign gain momentum throughout the nation.”
Live signature totals from the Wild Burro Protection League’s campaign:
http://www.change.org/petitions/texas-stop-killing-wild-burros
Additional background on the campaign:
http://donkeyscando.blogspot.com/
Related articles
- Wild Burro Shooting Texas Parks and Wildlife to hold Annual Public Hearing (rtfitch.wordpress.com)
- Wild Burro Advocate Speaks Out to Trigger Happy Texas Commission (rtfitch.wordpress.com)
- Arizona Rag Promotes Death to Wild Burros (rtfitch.wordpress.com)
Categories: Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
I could think of some wonderful posters for this. Are there any cartoonists here?
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Marjorie is really good.
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Well, it sounds like another phone call is in order to one of the possible “candidates” for president of the United States. How can they just ignore 60,000 signatures? I guess life doesn’t matter if you are a “Poor little Burro ” just wanting to live your life out. Sick – Sick -These poor little animals are so docile. How do these morans sleep at night?
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They’ve been ignoring their conscience for so long that it doesn’t speak to them any more. God help them.
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Gail offer any candidate potentially 60000 votes,see how quickly he converts to an animal-lover.
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GREAT IDEA!!!
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Votes acn wlk, but money talks! Sweeten the pot with even a $1 donation from each voter in exchange for a personally-signed letter of support, and watch candidates dash for the cash!
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“Votes can walk …”
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Awesome Idea !!!!
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I hope something comes of this… I am so glad so many people have responded. Save Them Burros, Perry!
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Remember when President Johnson picked his dog up by the ears?
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He just lost my vote!
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Ms Farrabee (sp?)…you out there?
I have a question for you (and you probably answered this already, but I forget)…were there ever any HMAs in TX, particularly for burros? It seems these burros have been in the Big Bend area for centuries, didn’t they get included in the 1971 Act language of “where found”? This burro situation is often worse than the wild horses in some ways just based on HMAs and pop counts (yes, it is ALL bad in the end) and makes my head hurt trying to understand.
Anyone else with the knowledge base to explain to stupid me? Appreciate it…thanks. Lord, this is just sick.
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Denise, sorry about not seeing this sooner. That was one of my questions too. Apparently, the state of Texas was able to wiggle out of that agreement, and no lands were designated BLM. That being said, the BLM lists Texas with 2 other states in their literature. The sad fact is that the burro is not as well known by people because of their already low numbers both in the wild and domestically. The high end count of our number crunch for domestics is around 200,000 nationwide. Compare that to 10 million domestic horses, and it is clear that not many have had the joy of spending time with donkeys. This means that people are less likely to be tuned into what is happening to them in the wild. The BLM claims 5,800 wild burros, Cindy’s numbers put them at closer to 1,800! For any other species, this would place them on the endangered species list.
In Texas the burros at Big Bend Ranch State Park have no protections at all. The BLM guidelines at least allow advocates to challenge actions that are inappropriate. When there are no laws, well….
All these burros have is public opinion to help them now. I am in conference with the ASPCA, SPCA, and TXSPCA. We are now looking closely at the damning FOIA documents we just received. I will get back with everyone on the findings. Please, please always include the burro when you speak of mustangs. Just this one simple act will alert the powers that be that people DO care about the sagacious, and kind burro too.
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Also if you want more information and contact numbers visit Miss Abby’s page, (my favorite driving donkey!) http://donkeyscando.blogspot.com
R.T. thank you for posting this story and supporting our efforts like you have, and please tell Terry that Abby is still waiting for that ear rub.
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Thank you for your love & dedication to the burros. We are in the fight with you. Please let me know what I can do to help. I am still shocked by this murdering agenda, and the reasons why it goes on. I am very afraid for those remaining, and as a species, wild & free.
Ditto R.T., thanks!
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donkeyscando (Marjorie?):
How could TX wiggle out of the 1971 Act? We all know the donks have been there long before TX became a Republic and then a state. What’s with the pick and choose based on the 1971 language? And yes, the population counts are bad for both wild horses AND burros (and that why I say wild ones/wild equines…I remember the burros)?
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BTW, and not to be flip, but the 1971 ACT for wild horses and burros was NOT an agreement….it was and still is law (sans Burns poop).
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http://americanherdsxtras.blogspot.com/2008/01/burros.html
Wild Burros of the American West
A Critical Analysis of the National Status
of Wild Burros on Public Lands
C.R.MacDonald ~ June 2007
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Cindy’s the best…I miss her unsung, tireless work on behalf of our wild equines…..ALL OF THEM! But she left us a wealth of knowledge, facts and a tremendous resource.
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WELL!!! He’s Definately OFF of MY list for President. I loath TROPHY HUNTERS. In this fragile world we live in, there is no room for animal killers period; let alone gentle creatures like Burro’s
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Want to see Perry as a hunter? I just made a video about this and posted it on Abby’s blog. Please do visit her at donkeycando. There are stories about this, a petition, video and audio.
Que viven los burros!
Marjorie
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Burro into love ~ Its unconscionable the burros are being murdered to make way for more killing! Trophy hunters are despicable. Of all the special interests being served, this one is the most unpalatable for me. The last burros must be spared!
Like Palin, we cannot let this man get anywhere near the presidency.
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Totally agree!
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Gov Perry probably isn’t even aware of the people who are against this. He is of the “hunter mindset” apparently and is only listening to the “pro” people. Between this and the BLM, all the burros and horses in the wild are going to extinction!!
Thank you, R.T. and group for all you do to try to stop this madness!!!
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This is true. When you go to his fb page and remark about this atrocity his followers say things like “I wonder what burro meat tastes like”. They are a real animal killing crowd.
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It’s all the same battle, as far as I’m concerned. We’re fighting for both.
As far as trophy hunters go…they are dispised by real hunters…hunters who hunt for food for their families.
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Rick Perry told Brian Williams he’s proud of the 234 human executions that have taken place on his watch. He executes without regard to age, mental capacity, or potential innocence. Now he can add species to his “bucket list”!
Check out this pic of “Pistol Packin’ Perry”! Scary dude!!!
Rick Perry’s Execution Record Incudes The Deaths Of Juveniles And The Mentally Disabled
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/09/02/310875/rick-perrys-execution-record-includes-the-deaths-of-juveniles-and-the-mentally-disabled/.
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I repeat, this guy is a “puppet” MORON….and remember, he spent alot of time as Ag Commisioner beating out a decent guy….Jim (?) Hightower. Hightower scared the cr*p out of TX Farm Bureau/National FB.
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Thank you for this wonderful clear concise link AS TO WHY NOT TO VOTE FOR THIS RUMPUSS WITH RIFLE!
Scary is about all I can say. So someone is “less” than he is–and that gives him a right? People are stupid and they make mistakes. You don’t put juveniles to death. Some are ir-redeemable but you don’t put them to death. You don’t put to death someone based on their color.
And for Pete’s sake you don’t wipe out a herd of innocent animals for a few trophy hunters. If your State is that dependent on the few thousand dollars–you are in worse shape than the money it will bring in.
Well I know TWO people who won’t get my vote come that hot place or high water. Rick the Stick and our “esteemed” (excuse the coughing fit–he makes me sick)President who to date still hasn’t said one single solitary word concerning the wild ones or the BLM.
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Be careful before saying whom you will exclude…..we are a long way from the final choices. Yes, some are worse than others and Obama is a SEVERE disappointment (and no, I didn’t vote for him….you don’t want to know who I did finally vote for). But in the meantime….you can certainly scratch Perry off your list, unless you want more GW.
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I heard this from someone who has a “Watch Burro”. Whenever there a scary, horse-eating monster in the pasture (like a wind-blown plastic bag!), her horses freak out and skedaddle. Then wise and brave “Sheriff Norma” marches out to confront the “enemy”, sounds the all-clear, and the horses creep out of their hiding places. Norma not only has a job, but also a mission!
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Just like the Indians! Give them Protected Land, and then kill and run them off of it.
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And then accuse them of being belligerent, out of control and hunt them down!
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There is only one candidate that has signaled that he supports wild equids, but I won’t go into yet. I am watching for signals from others. I want to see how a person has lived his or her life.
Marjorie is amazing and inspiring.
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This really angers me (mostly on me because I was focusing on racers and didn’t pay attention). I was getting into the HCHS issue and then followed on to the wild equines’ issue. Cindy MacDonald busted her butt on this stuff and brought up the Big Bend burros back in 2007. Shame on us! …no comments, no support, no attention/hits. I realize everything has a learning curve, but when it comes to wild equines (horse/burros), Cindy has been there and no one (significantly) paid attention or commented…even the WH&B advocates,,,at the time. I don’t think her work is insignificant….but we have lost precious time for our equine friends.
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I didn’t know about ANY of this until they rounded up Clouds’ herd in 2009. I was on another planet for a while.
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I thought it was illegal to shoot any animal on federal or state property without a special permit! Whassup?!
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I am reviewing a book called Donkey by Jill Bough for Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics animal series. The book is very enlightening. Human civilization was built on their backs from Ancient Egypt to modern Ehtiopia we owe the donkeys and burros a great deal. the book is excellent. How do we the supposedly morally superior species of the planet repay them? Cold bloodied killing. I own 11 miniature donks and they are the sweetest and most gentle creatures. I love the little donks and they have so many friends of their own who come to visit them on a regular basis. They always travel in a single file. I have had in the past BLM full size donkeys. They lived to a ripe old age and either died of natural causes or were euthanized by a vet. We mourned their deaths and either buried them or had them cremated. These assholes shooting them. Real people do not kill innocent animals. The good old Safari Club the canned hunters of America. What sportsmen. My idea of a true sport would be to put these so called hunters in a fenced in area with a bunch of hungry wild boars. I doubt the winners would be of the two legged variety. I am ranting but just sick at all this wanton disregard for life from the cats to the burros it seems their motto is “Kill baby kill.”
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The culprit here is the Sierra Club. The Texas Bighorn Society now controls what the Big Bend Ranch State Park does. We have documentation of this, and our FOIA requests bare this out. They are not only killing all of the burros but all of the other ungulates like the native elk to provide the bighorn a better chance of survival. It is sick. The Audubon Society is also very bad for our wild equids.
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I already know the Sierra Club and Audubon are a BIG problem.
As to a Big Horn Society, what is that? A species that can’t survive or adapt and they whack species that can? Sorry, I think it is an expensive experiment that also exterminates other species for other reasons. BTW, having state managed lands doing the same “protectionist” stuff for Big Horn and closing of lands in CA too. WTH is with Big Horn Sheep? When did they become this sacred “parks” cow (pun intended). I’m not the efforts, but have problems with the effort when it comes at the detriment of other species.
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Denis the bighorn restoration project is a mult-million (yes your dollars too) project that started in the 50’s. Bighorn were completely gone from the area by the 60’s, and yes they are a weak species who contracts a form of pneumonia from domestic sheep and animals like auodad (same family but from Chad). They are fighty animals that are set back by human presence. They will not go anywhere near a watering hole out in the open. They require at least two escape routes to consider using a watering hole, and they are on a regular schedule for going to those watering holes. (parks say burros keep them away from water, but fact is they would never consider using the water that the burros use in the open and down low. The Texas Bighorn Society donates huge amounts of money for the restoration project and it is further subsidized by taxpayer dollars. Then, on top of that, they get a fee for auctioned permits to shoot those same bighorn (16 permits a year) for up to $152,000. The Texas Bighorn Society has contracts with land owners around the park too. This is how we found out about the shooting of other ungulates. One rancher is none too happy about them flying into his 32,000 acre ranch and shooting all the elk on his property. He asked them to stop, was rebuffed and now has turned on the Texas Bighorn Society by releasing all of his contracts with them.. This is a dirty ugly story.
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Intense local politics. Alternatives are always there… but someone must step up and demand they follow a positive path for these burro families.
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Trophy Hunters are mans weakest point, they display all the reasons every real man should wage a war on them, to kill a defenseless animal for any thing other than food is direct display of weakness in character………………and is is disgusting representation for manhood,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Linda as a President hopeful even a Deputy Vice he will earn plenty more than $60,000,he will be able to keep both hands in the proverbial Cookie-Jars.
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Seems like the politicians are turning a blind eye almost everywhere, save Mary Landrieu Sen. LA, and very few others, seems Harry Reid Sen NV, will not call a bill to the floor, to stop the funding of inspectors to the slaughter houses here in the US
this I am told needs to be done every year, not to mention that he is friends with Ken Salazar former interior secretary US and tom davis kill buyer for the horses that are
rounded up by helicopter from our Bureau of Land Management, the holding pens & then they go to USDA holding pens, on the QT hush of course are nasty filthy and haven’t even a drop of water to give these poor animals to drink, wake up please everybody and avoid voting for folks like Harry Reid who support slaughter of horses domestic and wild, and burros included, these animals are in nobodies way out in the wild, except big interests of cruel ranchers, (not all ranchers!!!!!!!!) and also these brave hunters, who probably never went to fight in a war, and feel bad about it, so they in turn need to go out and shoot coyotes, wild burros, and prarie dogs who are all part of our world and our ecosystem, I’m pretty sure the only time things really get out of balance is when the nasty humans interfere.
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