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Former USDA Veterinarian and Whistle Blower
WHOA Board Member<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
VERIFICATION <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I, Dr. Lester Friedlander DVM BA of Bradford County Pennsylvania do, hereby state that the facts above set forth are true and correct (or are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief) and that I expect to be able to prove the same at a hearing held in this matter. I understand that the statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. \u00a7 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Date: 4\/3\/2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a6 Signature: REDACTED<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am the\npresident of Citizens Against Equine Slaughter (CAES) a national 501c3\nnon-profit based in Oregon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this\naffidavit, I re-assert everything I stated in my previous affidavit\/s for this\nMuddy Creek HMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I stated: Only the Secretary of the Interior can authorize a round up by helicopter as clearly, this is a very dangerous situation for the wild horses. However, there is no legal right to condone extreme animal cruelty, harassment and death as wild horses are not livestock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my\nprevious affidavit I outlined many of the atrocities of helicopter round ups\nand alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BLM has two veterinary groups and the Inspector General observe from afar, helicopter round -ups in an effort to have them declared humane. (See foot notes 10,11,12 on pg 25 of BLM Response)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now the BLM\ncomes and states that two groups of veterinarians and the inspector General\nhave studied and or declared that helicopter round ups are humane (without an\nactual study) and that they are necessary. However, this is wholly unreasonable without\nan actual study. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, there\nare alternatives for on range management as called for by these veterinarians\nas well as proof that the gather and removal off the range is not working, per\nthese reports, the in state of Utah alone over 15,000 horses have already been\ngathered. This amount of gathers, handling, and feeding is astounding versus\nthe ease that the originating horses could be simply darted on the range with\nnowhere near the amount of cost, time, harassment, and cruelty as recommended\nby the National Academy of Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These\nVeterinarians have also recommended that helicopter usage include wide angle\ncameras for study and documentation as\nhas CAES repeatedly for years. This would also handle handicap access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Simple lure\ntraps around water sources would suffice for simple on the ground darting or\ndarting from helicopter one family at a time. If people can go out to these\nplaces to manage their cattle, why cannot we go out to the horses and lure trap\nfor darting and release? An example is shown in my previous Affidavit of the\nlure traps at the Soccorro BLM in NM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Inspector General states that the\nNational Academy of Sciences should be followed as the best science however\ndoes not follow through. Excuses given that logistics are different than\nAssateague a 45,000 acre island. However, it is easier to design logistics at\nplaces that are not surrounded by water. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, this field office, this agency, and\nthis government are essentially blocking the best alternative as recommended by\nthe National Academy of Sciences. Be that as it may, this Secretary of State\nhas no legal right to act inhumanely against both the 1971 Act, the animal\ncruelty laws of the states and the nation . <\/p>\n\n\n\n No Veterinarian has even sat in a helicopter during any round up in these three studies. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the BLM Response to Appellees Statement of Reasons, though the BLM makes the claim that Veterinarians have studied helicopter round ups, no Veterinarian has even sat in a helicopter during a helicopter round up. They have only sat at the capture shute areas as do other citizens. The 4 independent Veterinarians did actually go for a ride in a helicopter over a number of HMAs, but not during a round-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There have been no Scientific or\nVeterinary Study of helicopter round ups and the associated issues such as Post\nCapture Myopathy Syndrome or Rhabdomyolysis. (See Attachments 1, 2)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Short List of Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a short list of the issues with the two Veterinary Studies of APHA and AAEP of 2010 foot notes 10 and 12 respectively. Both show some serious effects of helicopter round ups as well which illustrate that these are inhumane and do not include the first 5 to 6 miles of wild horses falling out prior to the gather shuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact that they did these two Veterinary Studies lets us know that they themselves know that there should be a study and that treating wild horses in this manner is indeed extreme animal cruelty on all levels and these studies are little more than a cover up albeit with a few decent recommendations, though the BLM did not implement them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BLM has not implemented the AAEP recommendations underlined\nbelow as well as those of the APHA or the Inspector General.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the recommendations of 10 AAEP Veterinarians. Page <\/p>\n\n\n\n American Association of Equine Practitoners<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bureau of Land Management (BLM)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wild\nHorse and Burro Program <\/p>\n\n\n\n BLM Task Force Report <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n August\n2011<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n HORSES ON THE RANGE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The BLM should utilize the best science available to obtain accurate herd management area census information in order to determine the healthy sustainable equid numbers for each area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BLM should prioritize research and application of effective methods to reduce the foaling rate in wild herds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WILD HORSE GATHERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The contract helicopter pilots should always maintain a safe distance between the helicopter and any horses that are being gathered, and between the helicopter and the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The capture pens should be constructed so that pen configurations include wider sections<\/p>\n\n\n\n instead of\nnarrow lanes for temporary holding of animals that have just been captured.\nThis<\/p>\n\n\n\n configuration\ngives passive animals a\ncircular escape from aggressive animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The trap should be constructed with solid side panels in the final capture pen to prevent<\/p>\n\n\n\n horses from getting their heads or legs\noutside of the pen and to discourage horses from<\/p>\n\n\n\n attempting to climb out of the\nenclosure<\/p>\n\n\n\n The use of existing barb wire fence as a stage for a jute wing should be discouraged. If barb wire fence must be used, any areas where the horses will be actively driven should be covered with jute to prevent injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RECORDS <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The task force encourages current efforts to produce a centralized database to track the history of all horses in the BLM program. The records should include positive or negative trends in adoption programs and socially productive programs like those in place at certain prisons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, The BLM has not implemented any of the above underlined recommendations.\nTo wit, no census at Muddy Creek, only estimates from previous estimates, and\nthe Muddy Creek Field office rounded up 153 wild horses and released 2 with\nbirth control. This is an insult to science and to the wild horses and the\nAmerican public.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this Muddy Creek census analysis there was no census. According to the BLM Response here is how the number of horses was estimated:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Page 3,4 of the BLM Response excerpt:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As of March 1, 2018, the BLM-estimated population of wild horses within the Muddy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creek HMA was 195, and BLM projected that the population would reach 224 horses by the end of the summer of 2018. EA at 000166, Table l. BLM based its population projection on<\/p>\n\n\n\n adding a 15% foal increase for 2017 and 2018 to the April 2017 population survey\nestimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Id.,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n see also <\/em>EA Appendix C. These wild horse\npopulation projections and BLM\nmonitoring data<\/p>\n\n\n\n reflecting deteriorating\nrange conditions led BLM to determine that excess horses existed\nwithin the Muddy Creek HMA and that excess horses needed to be removed in order\nto restore a thriving natural ecological balance, maintain multiple-use\nrelationships, and prevent further degradation of rangeland resources resulting\nfrom the overpopulation of wild horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (However Note) This monitoring data is on file within the BLM Price Field Office. It is not in the hands of the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Likely Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (White Muscle Disease not communicable<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The AAEP Report also gave evidence that this helicopter gather process was unnatural and fatal to wild horses. See Excerpt below on pg. 25. This showed evidence of Capture Myopathy but no recommendation was made to study the humanity of the helicopter round up exertion or to condemn this process in favor of humane and feasible alternative of dartable contraception (PZP) rather than Gona Con which is hormonal and is not dartable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Condition of the horses after the gather: <\/strong>The condition of the horses immediately after capture was judged to be good, with the exception of the one horse that collapsed and died right before entering the trap. There was no sign of exhaustion or medical compromise in the other horses that were observed being gathered. The gathered horses had elevated respiratory rates as expected for any exercised horse, and some had mild to moderate body coat sweat which was dependent on the weather and distance traveled.?<\/p>\n\n\n\n APHA Main Recommendations – Group of 4 Independent Veterinarian <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (From Foot note 10 on pg 25 of BLM Response) Excerpts below with\nemphasis added.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Independent Designated\nObserver Pilot Program <\/p>\n\n\n\n FINAL REPORT <\/p>\n\n\n\n October 2010 Overview One of the American Horse Protection Associations missions is the protection and preservation of Americas wild horses and burros on US public rangelands. The Bureau of Land Managements has the authority and responsibility to ensure, to its best ability, the welfare of wild horses and burros during the gather, holding, and transporting process when horses are removed from public rangeland. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider installing camera monitors<\/em><\/strong> in the chutes\/corrals at short term holding facilities or trap sites for the public to observe gathering, loading, unloading and preparation of animals. The public could watch at the short term holding facilities and not be additionally stressful to the animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider mounting a wide-angle lens camera on the helicopter during gather to record movement and behavior of the horses to study the effects of the helicopter on the horses.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In line with BLMs ongoing development of its animal welfare program, in June 2010, AHPA offered to initiate a Pilot Independent Designated Observer Program Pilot Program that involved the observation and reporting on the care and handling of wild horses and burros during the gather process at three major summer gathers: Owyhee HMA (NV); Stinking Waters HMA (OR); and Twin Peaks HMA (CA). It is important to note that the Pilot Program was not intended to replace public observation days. Additionally, the Pilot Program was specific to the care and handling of the animals only. BLM policy regarding removals was not within the scope of the Pilot Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Horses travelled an average of 5-7 miles to trap site, and a Judas (or Prada) horse was utilized. Most horses entered the trap at a trot, some at a canter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the Stinking Water gather, a 23 year old stallion jumped out of the pen and escaped the trap site. About \u00bd mile from trap, he was subsequently roped and his legs were tied while in a recumbent position, and eventually was transported in a two compartment stock horse trailer back to the Burns Corrals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the Owyhee gather, horses were observed to be tucked up suggesting decreased water intake. Some foals had mud on their faces, suggesting they had been trying to suck water because their dams were not producing sufficient milk, and willingly drank water from a bucket which is uncommon and implies tremendous thirst. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hoof condition was generally good with no significant defects. One foal at the Stinking Water gather had noticeable chipping in one hoof but was not lame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Coat\/hide condition was generally good and clean, and indicative of the summer season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lameness: One mare at the Bull Flats temporary holding facility (Twin Peaks gather) was grade 3 lame at the trot, with no visible lesions. At the Litchfield short term holding facility two foals were observed to be stiff and foot sore but mobile. One stallion at the Owyhee gather came in lame with an old knee injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Injuries: One mare with pre-existing injury to hind leg at the Twin Peaks gather; superficial scrapes\/kick wounds and one ~4 inch laceration which was sutured by the APHIS veterinarian in the squeeze chute at the Stinking Water gather; cuts and scrapes were noted at the Owyhee gather and were most often treated with a furazone type product. Illness: A few horses exhibited colicky signs at the Owyhee gather; one mare was observed to have symptoms of rhabdomyolysis at the Stinking Water gather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations Based on\nthe observations of the 4 independent designated observers, the following\nrecommendations are offered for consideration: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If at all possible, horses should not be roped or tied down in a recumbent position for prolonged periods of time, especially coinciding with exhaustive or over-heated conditions. Strict criteria should be established to determine the initiation and purpose of this practice. If necessary to implement these procedures, these horses should be identified, marked, and\/or confined separately from the others in the gather and observed for any injuries or metabolic conditions for the next 48 hours. This could be achieved by moving these animals to designated, smaller holding corrals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excessively aggressive horses (studs or mares) should be isolated as soon as possible or grouped with horses they were with before capture (i.e., a harem stallion with his foals or dry mares) rather than stand waiting in the chutes or alleyways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Horses held in any enclosure over 4 hours after the gather at the trap site should be provided with access to hay and water in at least 100 gallon containers unless the horses are seriously dehydrated or compromised and, in the opinion of a veterinarian, should have restricted access to reduce the risk of water intoxication. Lidocaine spray (or other topical anesthetic) should be utilized by attending veterinarians in order to facilitate suturing of wounds in horses in the squeeze chute. Transport (unloading and loading) of animals should be kept to a minimum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inspector General US Dept. of Interior 2011<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (Foot note 11 pg. 25 BLM Response)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Like the other Veterinary Reports above, the inspector general report did not scientifically prove any of the statements regarding helicopter round ups as humane as no tests of helicopter round ups in progress were performed, only observation from the ground at the end of a 5 to 7 mile long stampede. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To address the issues\noutlined in this inspection, we recommend that BLM: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Continue moving forward with the Secretarys initiative and BLMs program <\/p>\n\n\n\n improvements\nto the extent that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. There is urgent and aggressive focus on\nresearch and testing of improved <\/p>\n\n\n\n population control\nmethods to balance wild horse and burro population <\/p>\n\n\n\n growth with adoption\ndemand, thereby minimizing the need for additional <\/p>\n\n\n\n long-term holding facilities and preserves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. There is\nan ambitious effort to minimize and reduce over the long\nterm the <\/p>\n\n\n\n need for short- and\nlong-term storage facilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. The best science for wild horse and burro management and needed new <\/p>\n\n\n\n research is coordinated with and confirmed by the National Academy of\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sciences and the results put into practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ATTACHMENT I. Capture Myopathy\nintro. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.pgc.pa.gov\/Wildlife\/Wildlife-RelatedDiseases\/Pages\/CaptureMyopathy.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Other Names:<\/strong> Exertional\nmyopathy, overstraining disease, exertional rhabdomyolusis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Capture\nmyopathy (CM) is a non-infectious disease of wild and domestic animals in which\nmuscle damage results from extreme exertion, struggle, or stress. CM often\noccurs as a result of chemical immobilization, capture, or transport, but it is\nnot always associated with capture and can be the result of other causes of\nstress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Capture\nmyopathy is an important cause of death in wild animals that are handled by\nhumans, and people working with wildlife must take great care to prevent it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CM\ncan occur naturally when prey animals are attempting to avoid predation, but it\nis usually caused by\nhumans. This is because animals are adapted to escape from predators,\nbut are not adapted to\nstruggle for long periods of time in man-made restraints. Capture\nmyopathy occurs when animals overexert themselves (struggling in a trap for\nexample) so much that physiological imbalances develop and result in severe\nmuscle damage. Hotter\ntemperatures and repeated chemical immobilization increase the risk of animals\nsuffering from CM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clinical\nsigns vary depending on the species and the cause of exertion; the method of\ncapture and restraint plays a major role in the occurrence of CM. Capture myopathy\nmay result in sudden death, or clinical signs may develop hours, days, or up to two months following\ncapture. Early clinical signs include elevated respiratory rate, heart rate, and body\ntemperature. Body temperature increases during exertion and higher temperatures are often\nassociated with death due to CM. Other clinical signs include depression, lack\nof response to stimuli, loss of coordination, weakness, muscle stiffness,\ntremors, muscle paralysis, recumbency, shock, and at times death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Light-colored\nskeletal and sometimes cardiac muscle observed at necropsy is indicative of\ncapture myopathy. Similar gross lesions may be found in animals with certain\nnutritional deficiencies, and specialized tests may be necessary to reach a\ndiagnosis. Gross changes in muscle appearance may not be observable in animals\nthat died acutely of CM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Treatment\nof wildlife suffering from CM is rarely successful, and animals often die from\nthis condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone who captures and restrains\nwildlife should be aware of the risks of capture myopathy and should make every\neffort to prevent its occurrence. Wild animals should only be captured when\nnecessary, and the negative affects that capture may have on an animal’s\nhealth should always be considered before beginning a management or scientific\nproject. People should utilize capture methods that minimize animal stress,\nstruggling, and handling time. For example, sound should be kept to a minimum,\na blindfold should be placed over the animal’s eyes, and workers should be\nefficient so that the animal may be released as soon as possible. Appropriate\nmethods may vary for each species, so research should be conducted in order to\nselect the ideal capture method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ATTACHMENT 2<\/strong> Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Wild horses are flight animals and very susceptible to this disease which can go un noticed for days and be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ATTACHMENT: An hour hearing cannot provide the experimentation and review necessary. Use of motorized vehicles that allows families to stay together reduces stress on the individuals and family. This hearing was not greatly advertised and I can see no follow-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, 4800\nanimals as quoted below id likely only\n2,400 animals to dart. This is the creation of 5 good jobs for darting etc.\nrather than the helicopters, harassment, and death, and including the bird\nlady.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VERNAL, Utah<\/strong>\u201c The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host its annual statewide public hearing at the BLM Vernal Field Office to discuss the use of helicopters and motorized vehicles in the management of wild horses and burros on Utah public lands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nhearing will take place:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, 7 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n BLM\nVernal Field Office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 170\nS 500 E<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vernal,\nUtah 84078<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Helicopter and motorized vehicle usage is a critical tool for managing wild horses and burros on public lands, said Gus Warr, BLM Utah Wild Horse and Burro State Lead. These management tools allow us to conduct aerial population surveys, monitor animal distribution, conduct safe and effective gathers, and transport captured animals in a humane and efficient manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utahs current statewide wild horse and burro population numbers currently exceed 4,800 animals, which is more than 200 percent of the approved appropriate management level of 2,000. Having an overabundance of wild horses and burros above BLM management levels may cause resource damage resulting in limited forage and water availability, which reduces the number of animals that the land can support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To date, the BLM has removed more than 15,600 wild horses and burros from Utahs rangelands since legislated removals began in 1976. Over 8,100 of those animals have been adopted or sold locally; the remainder were shipped outside of Utah for adoption or holding in off-range pastures. Utahs 2019 satellite adoptions start in March and continue monthly throughout the state. Adoption locations are tentatively set for Farmington, Salt Lake City, Heber City, and Delta, Utah. Animals are available for adoption on a weekly basis at the Delta Wild Horse and Burro Facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For\nadditional information about the upcoming statewide public hearing, or future\nwild horse and burro adoptions, visit www.blm.gov<\/a> or contact the Utah Wild\nHorse and Burro Hotline at (801) 539-4050 or Gus Warr at the BLM Utah State\nOffice at (801) 539-4057.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sincerely, Signature REDACTED<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 4\/3\/2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SECOND AFFIDAVIT MUDDY CREEK UTAH 2019 VERIFICATION I, Dr. Lester Friedlander DVM BA of Bradford County Pennsylvania do, hereby state that the facts above set forth are true and correct (or are true and correct to the best of my … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/whoanm.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Capture-Myopathy-2-1024x488.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCapture Myopathy<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Cause<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Significance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Transmission\/Disease Development<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Clinical Signs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosis<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Treatment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Management\/Prevention<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBLM TO HOST STATEWIDE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING USE OF\nMOTORIZED VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT IN THE WILD HORSE AND BURRO PROGRAM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n