Salinas community seeks help with stray horse problem

By THE STAR STAFF

The nonprofit organization Acción Social y Protección Ambiental (ASPA Inc.), which represents residents of the Ranchos Guayama community, has publicly condemned the Municipality of Salinas and its municipal police for what it describes as “negligent inaction” in addressing a persistent and dangerous stray horse problem along Road 706 and surrounding areas.

According to ASPA, the uncontrolled presence of free-roaming horses has endangered drivers, pedestrians and private property for months, with residents facing daily risks of traffic accidents and material damage caused by the roaming animals.

Official documents obtained by ASPA through a public records request under Puerto Rico’s Transparency and Access to Public Information Act (Law 141-2019) reveal that the last recorded horse roundup in Ranchos Guayama occurred on Aug. 20, 2024 -- more than a year ago. The data also shows that between 2020 and 2025, the Municipality of Salinas collected only 244 stray horses across its entire jurisdiction.

“These figures contradict statements made by Mayor Karilyn Bonilla Colón, who claimed on social media on September 3, 2021, that the municipality had collected ‘over 250 horses’ in that year alone,” said José Cora Collazo, president of ASPA Inc. “This discrepancy raises serious concerns about the transparency and accuracy of the information shared by the municipal administration and suggests possible manipulation of public data to create a false impression of effective management.”

Last Friday, residents documented more than 10 stray horses roaming freely along Road 706, capturing video evidence that ASPA says underscores the authorities’ failure to act and the imminent danger posed to the community. Residents have also reported damage to homes, vehicles, and water pipes, further impacting their safety and quality of life.

In response, ASPA and the Ranchos Guayama community are demanding that the Municipality of Salinas and its municipal police immediately resume horse collection efforts across the municipality, prioritizing Ranchos Guayama. They also seek the publication of a transparent and verifiable report detailing actions, resources and outcomes related to the management of stray or abandoned animals.

“Institutional abandonment cannot continue to put lives at risk,” Cora Collazo said.