U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) led a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers in requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) review the U.S. Army’s alleged maltreatment of the Arlington National Cemetery’s Caisson Platoon horses.
The lawmakers also want a study included about how the Army can resume the program, ensuring that the horses are properly cared for.
“The abysmal living conditions and maltreatment of these horses, which has led to numerous deaths, as well as the suspension of this program meant to honor our fallen service members, is extremely disappointing and concerning,” Rep. Buchanan said in a statement released on Monday. “That is why I am calling for a report to investigate any wrongdoing, as well as to help identify ways to protect these horses and restore this important program moving forward.”
Rep. Buchanan and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chairs of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, led an Oct. 28 letter sent to Eugene Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, reiterating those concerns. They were joined in signing the letter by four other colleagues, including U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
According to their letter, two horses from the 3rd Infantry Regiment’s Caisson Platoon at Arlington National Cemetery died in 2022 within days of each other from colon impaction. This led to an immediate suspension of all horse processions that remains in place.
It was later reported by the Army that the horses potentially died due to poor living conditions, including limited-size fields full of manure, construction debris, low-quality hay, and an infestation of parasites, according to the letter.
After suspension of the program, 18 out of the 64 horses had to be retired leading to a shortage in the number of horses required to conduct the six to eight eligible burials per day. Since then, the Army has been using funeral home hearses and other vehicles.
“Given the honorable, selfless service of those who are being laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, we must ensure that they receive a proper, honorable burial,” wrote Rep. Buchanan and his colleagues. “We must also ensure the horses who have worked tirelessly to provide for these brave service members are taken care of in a humane manner.”
The lawmakers requested that the GAO conduct a study that addresses several issues, including what steps the Army has taken to examine and improve the factors that contributed to the deaths of the two horses in 2022, and what facility and trainers should be in place where the horses reside when not participating as part of the caisson.