Horse Sanctuary making plans to kill 100 prairie dogs over profits.

In 1999/2000, Colorado Horse Rescue (CHR) a non-profit organization acquired 50 acres of wildlife rich county lands for their animal rescue center in Longmont, Colorado. Under the conditions of sale, they have to leave the wildlife undisturbed, preserve the prairie dogs and their habitat with the exception of the prairie dogs in the 8 acres development parcel. They were allowed to relocate these within the site. In return for their promise to be good steward, CHR received financial kickbacks and concessions (land codes were broken to accommodate them).

CHR broke their operating agreement in 2001. Prairie dogs entrance burrows were found soaked with deadly gas solution, some were poisoned, and some buried alive! Hundreds perished, and they included the ones CHR had previously relocated within their site! Certain Colorado protected species like Cottontail rabbits and various snakes perished too (Denver Post 16th May 2001, Boulder weekly May 2001 & Daily Camera 25th May 2001)

It is deeply disturbing and wrong on so many levels that an organization that rescues abused and neglected horses is so species discriminatory, showing no regard or respect towards wildlife, acting as judge and jury. No decent or caring animal rescue organization would have done what CHR did. Yes, the horses suffered when they were neglected and abused. So did the prairie dogs, when CHR killed them. They bled internally and drowned in their own blood! 

CHR now wants to be released from their original agreement to expand, to hold more special events and do as they please. Many events are for their for-profit members who are either board or former board members and not rescue related. 100 prairie dogs stand in their way. Their solution is to either live trap and then send to Ferret Rescue Programs or Birds of Prey Foundation or have them gassed. The rest of the prairie dogs, 60 have been relocated thus far, and about 200 will be allowed to live in 18 acres within the site. However, CHR has proven to be untrustworthy by their actions. County staff has explicitly told WildLands Defense (WLD) that these 200 will mostly likely be exterminated over time.

In their plans to achieve their expansion goals, CHR is demonizing the prairie dogs. Blaming their unsuccessful re-vegetation efforts entirely on the prairie dogs, when they have 60 grazing horses on their property. What CHR proposed is unconscionable and unacceptable especially when WLD is prepared to work with all parties concerned, offering free advice and help with re-vegetation efforts. Prairie dogs support vast flora and fauna in the prairie. When you kill them, you disrupt and destroy the eco-system. Soon the prairie will be a thing of the past if the persecution continues.

Please stand with me, the residents of Longmont and WLD to request that Boulder County Board of Commissioners reject CHR expansion application. Insist that CHR work with WLD, to ensure that no prairie dogs are killed, or relocated.  CHR should abide and adhere to their original terms of agreement and should face heavy fines and penalties for any future violations of their agreement. We must stop the killing fields from happening again to these amazing and intelligent prairie dogs by CHR.

Here is their Facebook review link, if you want, you can go to rate them. Thanks! https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoHorseRescue/reviews