The U.S. government rounds up wild horses and cattle in the West , using helicopters . The government says the program controls the animals . `` They are by law supposed to protect these horses , and in fact they are doing the exact opposite -- they are exterminating them , '' says Simone Netherlands , founder of the advocacy group Respect 4 Horses . Protests increased after 100 horses died in a helicopter roundup . Government officials say less than 1 % of wild horses die in these incidents .
The U.S. government rounds up wild horses and cattle in the West , using helicopters . The government says the program controls the animals . Protests increased after 100 horses died in a helicopter roundup . Government officials say less than 1 % of wild horses die in these incidents .