SPARKS, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — The Nevada Board of Agriculture has voted 8 -1 on Tuesday, December 12 to give away or transfer ownership 3,000 Virginia Range wild horses to a private entity.
In October, state officials sent a termination notice to the American Wild Horse Campaign who they had been partnering with to help keep the horses from being slaughtered.
This agreement was formed in 2013 and focused on population control by using birth control and adoption.
The state terminated the deal because they believe the American Wild Horse Campaign did not fulfill their side of the agreement in protecting public safety. In September, a driver in an SUV collided with a wild horse and died.
Jim Barbee, the director of Nevada Department of Agriculture said in a written statement, "Our number one priority is public safety, and that requires collaboration between the state, local and nonprofit partners...the NDA can assist local law enforcement with removal of feral horses upon request."
The American Wild Horse Campaign believes they have fulfilled their part and that the state is undermining themselves.
Deniz Bolbol, Director of Field Operations with the campaign said in a press release that the state and Governor "... in 2013, enacted legislation that retains state jurisdiction over the Virginia Range horses and allows the state to partner with a nonprofit for the protection and humane management of these cherished mustangs."
If the agreement is terminated the state will not have to notify horse organizations when wild horses have been removed from the wild and if they are being sent to slaughter auctions.
