Governor Bill Richardson today announced two federal stimulus awards totaling $250,000 that will go to protect animals in New Mexico.
The first award of $150,000 will go to the state Department of Public Safety to help law enforcement officers stop and prosecute illegal cockfighting, dog fighting and respond to animal hoarding cases. The award will support an investigator, training, and a field manual for officers across the state.
The second award of $100,000 will help humanely manage an overpopulated wild horse herd on the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The Jicarilla Nation reports a long-standing problem with wild horses on tribal lands, which damage natural resources and compete with wildlife and cattle for food. The New Mexico Livestock Board will oversee a contractor for the project, which aims to assess the population, develop humane solutions such as relocation and adoption, and other humane options.
"These Recovery Act awards will support our efforts to improve animal health and welfare across New Mexico," Governor Richardson said.
The Jicarilla Apache Nation estimates that as many as 600 wild horses are roaming on tribal lands -- and that the ideal number is about 5 percent of the current wild horse population. The wild horses also disrupt migration routes for native deer and elk populations in addition to competing with wildlife and cattle for feed.
Both awards are from the discretionary Government Services Fund.
Press Release
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