Imagine placing your horse into someone's care who said they would provide for them because you no longer can. Now, imagine getting a phone call finding out that your horse was killed by the person who was supposed to take care of them. For some horse owners in Colorado, this isn’t just a nightmare; it’s a reality. 

Environmental and Animal Defense has recently discovered such a scheme operating in Colorado to fraudulently obtain family-owned horses to be sold at auctions for slaughter. These actions are carried out in a variety of ways, including through deceptive promises of temporary boarding or permanent retirement care. These horses are typically older, unable to be ridden, and procured from families who are facing life situations that prevent them from keeping their horses at home any longer. 

The operation was uncovered when a brand inspector called one such owner after her horse had already been sold at an auction.

We are raising funds in order conduct a thorough investigation of these actions and to present the results to the Colorado Attorney General for prosecution. We are independently representing families who have lost their horses to this  scheme. Funds raised here will not be used for these private civil cases. Some individuals may be conducting outside fundraising for those cases.

Donate now to fight for protection of family horses!