Arrest revives concerns over Grand Canyon animal abuse
The recent arrest of a man in charge of a pack animal on the Havasupai Reservation has revived concerns of animal abuse in the remote southwestern reaches of the Grand Canyon.
Cecil Watahomigie faces three misdemeanor federal counts after his arrest July 2 while packing gear for tourists at a campground in Supai, according to an affidavit given by a Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent.
One count alleges intentional and reckless neglect of a yellowish male horse in Watahomigie’s custody, and a second involves recklessly failing to provide medical attention for the animal.
The third count alleges possession of an alcoholic beverage, whiskey. Alcohol is banned in Supai under both federal and tribal law, and public intoxication is prohibited.
A Flagstaff veterinarian later determined that the horse was malnourished and suffered lesions, a lacerated tongue and other medical problems, according to court documents. The animal was impounded by the BIA.
Watahomigie was arrested by a BIA officer but later released. A plea-agreement hearing for him is scheduled for Oct. 16 at the U.S. District Court in Flagstaff.
The Havasupai Tribal Council issued a statement affirming its intention to provide safe, healthy conditions for pack animals.
“The tribe is very concerned about the health and welfare of our animals,” said Tribal Chairman Don Watahomigie. “So many of our tribal members rely on them for income, but they mean something more than just that to us. We have grown up around our horses and mules; cruelty is not the Havasupai way.”
Don Watahomigie, who is not an immediate relative of the defendant, added that the tribal prosecutor and tribal judge, along with the local animal-control office and other parties, are working diligently to identify those few members who engage in abusive behavior while allowing the tribal court system to prosecute such individuals.
The alcohol-related count potentially could result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $100,000, said Cosme Lopez, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix. Each of the animal-related charges could result in up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
This isn’t the first time animal-cruelty allegations have been raised in the area.
After a 2016 incident in which tourists cited pack horses in poor condition, Don Watahomigie, as tribal chairman, issued a statement acknowledging “some instances where the horses’ health and well-being were compromised,” adding that they were exceptions, not the norm.
At the time, hikers visiting the Havasupai waterfalls, a popular tourist destination, posted online photos of underweight pack horses, some with open sores and raw skin from transporting items up and down the trail into the canyon.
The tribal council temporarily discontinued third-party guide services to the falls, in part to review how guides used pack animals.
There are no motor vehicles in the area. Supplies must be transported by animal or helicopter.
Supai, with roughly 500 people, is the only town in the U.S. where mail is carried by horses or mules, according to court documents.