Virginia Range feral horses removed from active construction site

On Aug. 7 and 8, 2024, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) removed 24 feral horses from a development property in southeastern Reno. The horses had to be removed to protect them from the dangers of an active construction zone and in the interest of protecting public safety.

The NDA, cooperative partner Wild Horse Connection, and the property development company had been collaborating on this issue for over two weeks. Wild Horse Connection was given access to the site to relocate the horses off the property but were unsuccessful. On Aug. 1, Wild Horse Connection requested an extension through Tuesday, Aug. 6 to relocate the horses. This was approved, but still unsuccessful by the Aug. 6 extension deadline, at which time the NDA took action based upon language in the cooperative agreement with Wild Horse Connection to remove the horses from the site to protect them from the dangers of an active construction zone including heavy machinery, sharp objects and trenching.

This gather was conducted under the supervision of NDA veterinarians who closely monitored the health and safety of the horses. No horses were injured during this process.

The horses were transferred to Northern Nevada Correctional Center where they will be advertised per Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 569 to confirm there are no other legal owners of any of the horses gathered and will then be made available for adoption. Horses will be microchipped and identified to ensure they are not returned to the range and for future documentation and proof of ownership. More information on how to adopt one of these horses will be available at agri.nv.gov. This process will occur over the next 60 days.

About the Nevada Department of Agriculture

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and Compliance. The department’s $288 million budget facilitates regulatory and administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries, protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of Agriculture’s school and community nutrition programs.

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