(Salt Lake City, UT) — The Bureau of Land Management is responding to allegations that federally protected wild horses are ending up at slaughterhouses. A New York Times investigation this week reported horses rounded up from federal lands, including areas in Utah, were sold cheaply to private buyers and later resold for slaughter. The BLM says it does not sell or send wild horses to slaughter and takes allegations of violations seriously. The agency says credible evidence is reviewed and can be referred to law enforcement. Animal welfare groups are calling for stronger federal protections.