Nevada Board of Agriculture Approves Feral Horse Ownership Transfer

The Nevada Board of Agriculture has voted to transfer ownership of approximately 3,000 Virginia range feral horses to a nonprofit group. This decision, made with an 8-1 vote, has sparked significant public opposition and raised concerns about the future welfare of these horses.

During a satellite conference, many gathered at the Department of Agriculture office in Sparks to listen to the live Las Vegas board meeting. After extensive public comments, the board decided to transfer ownership to a private nonprofit group.

Board member David Stix stated that such a group could manage the horses better without the constraints of state law. He explained, "They have the ability to feed and water them, whereas we lack the staff or funds to do so."

Despite public opposition, the board proceeded with the decision. Reno City Councilwoman Naomi Duerr suggested a cooperative agreement between horse advocates and the Department of Agriculture should be reconsidered. She emphasized the need for safety measures in the new motion, stating, "Put conditions within the contract to ensure the success of the program, I think that is the overwhelming concern that I've heard."

Wild horse advocates, including Suzanne Roy, Executive Director for the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), expressed concerns about the potential for the horses to be sent to slaughter. Roy remarked, "A private owner will have absolute private property rights to do whatever they want with those horses, including sending them to slaughter."

The board aims to prevent such outcomes, with Stix asserting, "We have a responsibility to make sure the animals are treated in a humane manner." However, advocates fear that once ownership is transferred, the state will have limited influence over the horses' management.

Many attendees expressed frustration over the board's swift decision, feeling their voices were ignored. Stix countered this perception, stating that submissions will be open to all interested nonprofit groups before a final decision is made, which could take six weeks or more.

Currently, there is no cost estimate for this transfer. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) plans to pursue legal and political action against this decision. Until the transfer is official, the Virginia Range horses will remain as they are.

Back in October, the Nevada Board of Agriculture terminated its cooperative agreement with the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation). The agenda directed the Nevada Department of Agriculture to transfer ownership of all feral, estray horses to a nonprofit animal advocate organization through a request for proposal process.

Louise Martin, an advocate working closely with the AWHC, expressed her fears, "Management is one thing, but transferring title of 3,000 horses that have lived on this range for hundreds of years, it's just not even acceptable. There's nowhere for them to go, I mean, you can't put them anywhere else."

The Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center also opposed the proposal, arguing that the feral horses attract businesses. Kris Thompson, Project Manager at TRIC, noted, "These companies respect places that have great environmental management." He also highlighted the economic benefits, with tourists visiting specifically to see these horses.

Terrie Gray, a visitor from California, expressed her hopes for her grandchildren to experience the Virginia Range horses, saying, "If today is the last day that it's possible to see the wild horses, that's a dream denied."

Director Jim Barbee of the Department of Agriculture stated, "The action item hasn't been discussed by the board yet, so there are some details I intend to clarify on the record tomorrow during the meeting...Our focus has not changed: our priority is to find the best solution for the protection of public safety and the horses."

Wild horse advocates want the AWHC's cooperative agreement with the department reinstated, believing any issues can be resolved.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) issued the following statement:

"The unelected members of the Board of Agriculture just voted to give away Nevada's historic Virginia Range horses to a private owner who will be free to do what it wants with them, including sending them to slaughter. This goes against the wishes of the public and the northern Nevada business community, which want these horses protected. It also violates Nevada law and the stated intent of the legislature and the governor to protect and manage these horses in conjunction with nonprofit organizations. Nothing in the law authorizes the department to give away these horses. The Board made this radical change under the law without any staff or legal analysis and failed to inform the board members of the issue of legality surrounding this proposal.

Over 100 citizens turned out to the meeting to oppose this action, as did the Northern Nevada business community represented by the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center and Bently Enterprises. The Board turned its back on the wishes of the public and the business community, and if the giveaway goes forward, the public will have no voice in the management of these treasured natural resources. The American Wild Horse Conservation is committed to fighting this undemocratic action through every available avenue. This decision is bad for Nevada taxpayers and bad for Nevada business, and we call on Governor Sandoval to reverse it."

Originally posted by 2 News