A barrage of harassing phone calls and other threats is being credited with the relocation of an auction of wild horses seized from the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB).

In October, a former ISPMB employee accused sanctuary operator Karen Sussman of maltreating horses at the facility and alleged that 30 animals had died of malnutrition. Sussman denied the accusations.

The mustangs, burros, and other horses residing at the sanctuary were subsequently impounded and placed in Dewey and Ziebach County authorities’ care. Under the court order, the animals remained on ISPMB property, but Sussman was relieved of their care. The Dewey County Sheriff Office was ordered to oversee the horses’ care.

Dewey County Sheriff Les Mayor said Sussman has not been charged in connection with the case