A criminal investigation is ongoing in the shooting deaths of two western Utah stallions, which were found dead with bullets in their necks on March 19. The reward for the killer’s capture is now $38,500.
Despite the continuous investigation by the Bureau of Land Management, there are no leads in the deaths. The reward is being offered by the BLM and other groups, including Utah-based 501(c)3 nonprofit Red Birds Trust.
The two Onaqui stallions, known by the names Jasper and Arshan, were found dead along Simpson Springs Road, and the other mustang that traveled with them, Junpei, has been missing since Jasper and Arshan turned up dead.
There are still ongoing efforts to locate him.
According to the news release sent by Julie Marshall from Center for a Humane Economy, the Onaqui wild mustangs are some of the “most famous and revered of all the wild herds in the western U.S.,” and they draw locals and tourists from around the world to view them. They are more tolerant of human presence because tourists, photographers and others often visit.
“Jasper and Arshan’s deaths have left a noticeable absence on the range, as they were well-known as protectors of other more vulnerable members of the herd. These crimes also have the local community on edge with concerns for their own personal safety with the killer(s) still at large,” said Jennifer Rogers, founder and director of Red Birds Trust. Rogers also operates Wild Horse Photo Safaris, a for-profit wild horse tourism and photography business located near where the Onaqui horses live.
“The killing of Jasper and Arshan was a deliberate act of premeditated, vicious cruelty, and as we know, individuals who commit violence against animals are more likely to commit violence against people,” said Scott Beckstead, director of campaigns for Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy. “We are grateful to the Bureau of Land Management for taking this matter seriously and offering a reward, and for working hard to find the perpetrators.”
“Somebody knows something, and we call on anyone with helpful information to come forward to help bring the cowards responsible to justice,” he said.
The news release noted that wild horses living on designated areas of federal public lands are protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 and harming them is a federal offense.
The investigation by federal law enforcement is ongoing, and members of the public are asked to come forward and call the anonymous tip line with any information they may have. The number for the tip line is (800) 722-3998.
