Talking Points for Governor Sandoval on Wild Horse Protection

Wild horses are an integral part of Nevada's heritage, cherished by the majority of its residents. Recent developments threaten the future of these majestic creatures, and it's crucial to address these issues with urgency. This article outlines key talking points urging Governor Sandoval to take action to protect the Virginia Range wild horses.

Withdraw the Request for Proposal

• I request that you immediately withdraw the Request for Proposal (RFP) to transfer ownership of the Virginia Range "wild" horses and resume the humane management Cooperative Agreement. Wild horses are cherished by the vast majority of Nevadans (recent opinion polls show 3 of 4 Nevadans favor protecting wild horses). If you do not act, you will remember your legacy as a governor as one who did not care about the majority of Nevadans, like me, who want these horses protected and rather you catered to special interests that want to see wild horses destroyed and killed.

Success of Cooperative Agreements

• The community-based Cooperative Agreements to humanely manage the Virginia Range horses were working -- the humane birth control program successfully reduced pregnancies by nearly 30% in the first year alone. Your Administration's cancellation of the Cooperative Agreement and plan to give away the horses jeopardizes public safety. As the horses' habitat in the Virginia Range continues to be reduced due to human encroachment and with your cancellation of the birth control program thus allowing the horse numbers to increase -- it is reasonable to expect increased public safety issues of horses entering roadways.

Impact on Nevada's Reputation

• If you do not stop the ill-conceived plan to destroy the Virginia Range horses, Nevada's reputation across the country and around the world will be tarnished and Nevada will be known as the destroyers of these beautiful horses who are enjoyed by thousands of tourists who visit our state.

Call for Leadership

• The RFP and cancellation of the humane management Virginia Range Horse Cooperative Agreements are done with your approval and on your watch. I call upon you to show leadership and cancel the RFP and bring interested parties to the table to address issues and resume the humane management that is in the best interests of public safety, the horses, and the state of Nevada.

Economic Considerations

• According to the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), the livestock industry generates fewer than 9,000 jobs throughout the entire state of Nevada. Tourism, on the other hand, creates hundreds of thousands of jobs in Nevada. It's time you put the interests of your ENTIRE state ahead of extremist ranchers who want to see wild horses destroyed.

Reaffirming the Success of Humane Management

• The Cooperative Agreement to humanely manage the Virginia Range horses was working -- the humane birth control program successfully reduced pregnancies by nearly 30% in the first year of results.

Public Safety Concerns

• The Sandoval Administration's cancellation of the Cooperative Agreement and plan to give away the Virginia Range horses jeopardizes public safety because cancellation of the birth control program allows more horses to breed at the same time the horses' habitat in the Virginia Range continues to shrink due to human encroachment. Reduced habitat with more horses increases chances horses will move into neighborhoods and onto roadways.