Wild Burros Targeted by Reckless Arrow Attacks in California: A Stark Warning for Community Safety
A series of arrow attacks on wild burros in Southern California underscores troubling lapses in local enforcement and raises urgent questions about protecting public safety and national heritage.
In the quiet foothills of Moreno Valley, California, an alarming pattern of violence has emerged against wild burros—symbols of American heritage and natural fire management. Cupid, a young burro recently shot with a broadhead arrow that pierced her lung, now fights for recovery after emergency surgery. This is not an isolated incident; at least six similar attacks have occurred since June, revealing disturbing threats to both these animals and community safety.
How Long Will Law Enforcement Allow These Attacks to Persist?
Despite federal protections for wild burros as iconic symbols of the American Southwest, the repeated assaults expose a dangerous gap between law enforcement efforts and public safety. Local authorities have responded to the latest attack, but months have passed with no known arrests or accountability for these reckless criminals.
These bow assaults are more than random acts of cruelty—they pose direct risks to residents and challenge community stability. Wild burros play a vital role in wildfire abatement by grazing dry grass that fuels deadly fires throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. As Chad Cheatham from DonkeyLand notes, firefighters depend on these animals to access terrain where humans cannot safely operate. When attackers target these creatures, they undermine frontline defenses against increasingly frequent wildfires threatening American homes.
Protecting National Heritage Means Enforcing Sovereignty at Home
The deer-in-headlights response from local officials contrasts sharply with America First principles demanding strong sovereignty and security within our borders. How can we claim to protect national treasures when federal laws safeguarding wild burros are flagrantly violated without consequence? The attacks reflect a disregard for the rule of law that harms not only the animals but also our communities’ collective well-being.
Moreover, such incidents undermine respect for property rights and public order—cornerstones of economic prosperity and individual liberty. The ongoing threat from violent offenders emboldens further lawlessness unless met with decisive action.
The recent guilty pleas concerning high-powered rifle killings of Mojave Desert burros demonstrate that federal prosecution can succeed when agencies uphold their responsibilities. It’s time local leaders adopt this same rigor in Moreno Valley before another innocent animal—or person—is harmed.
As citizens committed to freedom and common-sense governance, we must demand accountability: robust investigations, stronger enforcement measures, and community vigilance against those who threaten our heritage and security through wanton violence against defenseless wildlife.