GALLUP, N.M. – Authorities and residents on the Navajo Nation have raised concerns about a herd of wild horses that have been grazing along a highway for several days before one was fatally hit by a driver last month.
Navajo Police joined residents to chase the remaining horses back to the mountains in the Red Rock Chapter area, The Gallup Independent reported Friday.
Police said the horse was struck by a vehicle driving on New Mexico Highway 602 on Jan. 28.
Navajo Police spokesperson Christina Tsosie said an officer helped community members remove horses off the road on Friday.
Tsosie confirmed a horse was killed, but said the New Mexico State Police handled the collision. No additional information was immediately made available.
Shane Thom, 30, who was visiting family nearby, said he saw six or seven horses being chased back to the mountains on Jan. 29. Thom said he was concerned about the horses and the drivers along the highway.
“It’s a safety hazard, and I want to know if those horses had brands or not to identify whose property they are,” Thom said. “It’s kind of scary at night because you don’t see them. It’s just that at night it’s really dangerous.”
