PHOENIX (AP) - The herd of wild horses living near Arizona's Salt River will have new protections under legislation signed by Gov. Doug Ducey.
The proposal by Republican Rep. Kelly Townsend of Mesa makes it illegal to harass, shoot, kill or slaughter a horse that is part of the Salt River herd. The protections are conditional upon an agreement between the Department of Agriculture and the United States Forest Service.
About 100 horses are in the herd that has historically lived around the lower Salt River and Saguaro Lake east of Phoenix.
The proposal was developed after the U.S. Forest Service planned to remove the horses. The Forest Service reversed its decision following pressure from the public.
Ducey signed the legislation Wednesday.
