Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly said he no longer supports the issuance of permits for horse slaughtering facilities.

Shelly said the tribe favors a "humane" situation to the wild horse population on the reservation. Estimates put the numbers at 75,000.

“Our land is precious to the Navajo people as are all the horses on the Navajo Nation. Horses are sacred animals to us," Shelly told The New York Times.

Other tribes still support permits for the facilities but a lawsuit in federal court could keep them from opening.

Get the Story:
Navajo Leader Drops His Support for Slaughter of Wild Horses on the Reservation (The New York Times 10/8)

Related Stories:
Yakama Nation struggling to deal with wild horse population (09/11)
Navajo Nation president explains support for horse slaughter (08/12)
Judge requires bond of nearly $500K in horse slaughter lawsuit (8/9)