WASHOE VALLEY, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — A contentious initiative by the Nevada Department of Agriculture to erect 23 miles of fencing in the Virginia Range has sparked backlash from advocates for wild horses. The objective is to deter horses from straying into residential areas and possibly being hit by vehicles, but opponents […]
WASHOE VALLEY, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — A contentious initiative by the Nevada Department of Agriculture to erect 23 miles of fencing in the Virginia Range has sparked backlash from advocates for wild horses.
The objective is to deter horses from straying into residential areas and possibly being hit by vehicles, but opponents contend it may hinder access to crucial water supplies like Washoe Lake.
During the Dec. 6 board meeting, most public contributors expressed their opposition to the fencing endeavor. Advocates are concerned that the fence would separate herds from necessary resources.
“If you confine any animal, including ourselves, away from water, if you deny them water, they will instinctively seek it out. Unfortunately, they lack maps. They aren’t aware that the water will be located in Moundhouse and how to reach it,” remarked commenter Terri Farley.
NDA Director JJ Goicoechea informed News 4-Fox 11 that the main priority is the safety of both residents and horses.
“Currently, we have such a large population of horses on the Virginia Range that the rate of collisions is increasing, and we simply cannot allow that,” he stated. “We are also concerned about young children in some of these neighborhoods. Some of those horses may wander in. They are docile and accustomed to humans. However, it only takes one incident. I don’t want to bear the consequences of an injury or fatality due to an accident.”
He explained that the intention is to connect the fence with an upcoming City of Reno barrier at Geiger Grade and extend it south through Pleasant Valley. Goicoechea expressed confidence that there is adequate water availability in the range to support the wild horse populations.
“The Virginia Range contains many water sources. Some are seasonal, while others are permanent—that’s where the horses naturally belong and how they originally populated and thrived based on those natural resources.”
Allow horses to live as they should and refrain from feeding them in our yards. Return them to the range.
The initiative, currently in the planning stage, will need to undergo a thorough environmental review process, which might postpone construction for several years.
