SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. - Some refer to them as "wild horses" and others as "unauthorized livestock" but one thing is certain, the fate of the free-roaming horses referred to as "The Heber Horses" could be decided soon.

The U.S. Forest Service has two studies in progress regarding how to manage the herd of more than 200 horses that roam freely in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

This has advocates for the wild horses such as Michele Anderson very concerned. She maintains a Heber Horses Facebook page and says the animals should be protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burros Act of 1971, but the Forest Service study could show otherwise.

"This is no exaggeration to say that it is a life-or-death situation for these horses," says Anderson. "That's why I'm advocating for them, I don't want them to be rounded up to go to auction and to be slaughtered and I don't want them taken out of the forest."

According to the Forest Service, the studies and proposed action plans to determine whether the free-roaming horses are descendants of the Heber Wild Horses, which would give them protected status or strays that could be removed, should be completed by the end of this month at which time the public will be able to weigh in before the plan is implemented.

Pamela Baltimore is the public-affairs officer for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. She says it's her agency's job to manage the land as well as the horse population. While the general public and people who visit the forest may enjoy the beauty of the horses, not everyone is so enthusiastic about their presence primarily the ranchers who lease parcels of public land for their businesses.

"A lot of area ranchers feel a lot of the horses that are going back and forth, whether summer, winter, that they're utilizing a lot of what they would use for forage for their animals," says Baltimore.

This has been an issue for ranchers regarding wild horses in other states as well ,such as Utah and Wyoming.

Advocates for the horses hope that if the Forest Service decides the animals must be removed, that they will not be sold at auctions where they could be bought only to be sold and slaughtered in Canada or Mexico, but rather allow rescue groups and individuals to come forward to save them.



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November is almost here, and some Wisconsin households might be planning their menu for upcoming holiday meals.

Those who support vegan diets say it's not a "fringe" option to consider. For holidays like Thanksgiving, turkey is still the staple.

Mary Telfer, with the Wisconsin-based organization Alliance for Animals, said they urge everyone to avoid eating meat this holiday season due to animal treatment concerns, human health and environmental impacts from food production. For people on the fence about making the switch, she explained you can lean into vegan options.

"They think, 'How can I do this and still please my family? How can I do this and still keep up our traditions?' I mean, yeah, try some different things," Telfer urged.

She pointed out you can sample vegan food before the holidays, noting there are now countless websites and cookbooks with recipes. Grocery chains like Aldi and Trader Joe's sell plant-based holiday roasts. And Telfer added if you feel you need to serve meat to your guests, you can offset the impact by using sides like nondairy whipped cream. Staples like mashed potatoes and cranberries can still complement the meal.

And if you are worried about missing out on protein, Telfer recommended you load up protein-rich vegetables, such as peas. As for considering a vegan holiday meal, she feels it should not be as controversial as some might think.

"We don't think it's strange when we welcome progress when it comes in the form of technology or the newest phone or laptop. And yet, we have a harder time embracing progress in how we think about our nonhuman animal friends."

Beyond the treatment of animals, she stressed industrialized food production creates land use issues for future generations, and threatens wildlife habitat, while adding to pollution woes and harming human health.

A coalition of animal-welfare and family-farm advocates say a proposed amendment to the 2023 Farm Bill jeopardizes states' ability to regulate their own farming practices.

The EATS Act is a response to Proposition 12, a California law mandating better conditions for all farm animals raised in the state and transported there.

New England Farmers Union member Matt Barron said agricultural corporations are spreading misinformation about the law and threatening a dramatic rise in food prices.

"The Big Ag conglomerates play the fear card with consumers," he said, "saying if we can't get our way to conduct food production on this massive scale you won't have access to hamburger to grill before the football game."

Proponents of the EATS Act contend it's needed to streamline interstate commerce and prevent states from passing more laws that impose on farmers in other states.

A recent study from Harvard University suggested that the EATS Act would jeopardize more than 1,000 public health, safety and animal-welfare laws. That includes protections against infectious disease in livestock or protocols regarding the use of pesticides, which can have cascading impacts on water resources and wildlife.

Barron said the EATS Act would disadvantage farmers who've adopted environmental protections.

"We're a big specialty-crop state," he said. "The cranberry industry alone requires honeybees for pollination."

Barron said Massachusetts has been a leader in the "buy local" movement and many consumers appreciate knowing where and how their food is produced. Renewal of the Farm Bill has been delayed because of recent paralysis in Congress, but Barron said there's a growing bipartisan group of lawmakers voicing their opposition.


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Next week, parts of Wisconsin will see the return of near 90-degree temperatures. Animal rights voices say as hot stretches become more common, it is important for pet owners to take short- and long-term precautions to keep their four-legged companions safe.

The Environmental Protection Agency said under the threat of climate change, the Midwest is experiencing heat waves in greater frequency.

Kristin Schrank, board vice president of the Wisconsin-based group Alliance for Animals, said in general, ripple effects from a warning planet pose threats in a variety of ways.

"We're experiencing extreme heat and cold, wildfires, smoke and poor air quality," Schrank outlined. "This is not only impacting humans on the planet and their companion animals, but it's also impacting wildlife."

For summer heat, Schrank said pet owners should always keep fresh and clean water accessible, along with a shady spot. For those with a yard, she suggested enhancing landscaping, such as adding trees or shrubs, is helpful. Cooling mats for dogs are another option. When taking pets on a walk, experts say you should be mindful of the hot pavement, and either put protective boots on the animal or have them stay along the grass.

Schrank noted like humans, pets will show signs of heat stress, such as vomiting and disorientation. And there are some more likely to be affected by hotter temperatures.

"If the animal is very young, very old, overweight, thick coated, all of those things make them more vulnerable or susceptible," Schrank pointed out.

Despite greater awareness, Schrank emphasized there are still tragic situations involving pets being left in hot vehicles or outside in the extreme heat with no protection. Last year, there were 57 heat-related pet deaths in the U.S. She added under Wisconsin law, there are certain civil liability protections for those who spring into action if they observe such a situation.

"Essentially, it does allow people to cause damage," Schrank explained. "For example, break into a locked vehicle that has an animal that is suffering inside due to heat."

Some animals are not included in the statute, such as farm animals. The person taking action also has to follow certain guidelines, such as calling 911.