Horse Review Editorial
December 29, 1998

WHY…WHO…WHAT

by
Vickee Greer
Associate Publisher
greer@accutek.com

Thirty-four estray horses are dead in the beautiful Nevada high desert they called home. They didn’t die of any equine disease, mass accident, or tragic set of circumstances dealt by Mother Nature.  One mare enduring the contractions of birth never survived to gaze upon her newborn foal. Her foal, after having being born into this world and discovering it's mother was dead, had been so badly injured it eventually had to be destroyed.

In the Lockwood Hills just outside of Reno, Nevada the question being asked by horrified investigators and stunned public is "WHY?". WHY would a human or humans purposefully shoot and torture free-roaming horses, leaving some to remain barely clinging to life for days before being humanely put down by authorities.

As investigators deal professionally with the scenes of the mass deaths, they must be grappling with both their efforts to collect evidence of the crimes and their personal feelings of revulsion. The pros are trying to determine "WHO" committed these heinous and unspeakable acts against life. They are trying to piece together the evidence and create the scenario that will detail the events surrounding the killings. As they determine this information, they will come closer to identifying the "WHO" that has no conscience or respect for life or law.

Nevada radio stations, television stations, and newspapers are broadcasting "WHO"? The plea is "If you have any information, contact…" PLEASE contact. The "WHO" is capable of killing and torturing living beings. We are all in danger until "WHO" is caught. One radio station…stated to "WHO"…"We will find you, we will hunt you down…" If there is justice in this life, "WHO", you will be held accountable for your abominable crimes.

As the public across the nation tries to deal with this tragedy, as the reward (through private and public donations) climbs by the hour, the current question becomes "WHAT". "WHAT" can we do to find the perpetrators? "WHAT" can we do to increase the legal penalties to match the crimes? "WHAT" will we do when we find "WHO" committed these killings and tortures?

Thirty-four estray horses are dead…"WHY", we don’t know. We pray we catch "WHO" did it and that "WHAT" happens after that is true justice and accountability.

Publisher's Note:
Publisher's email:
Persons with information are encourage to call Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.   Your call will remain anonymous.

Update from the Washoe County Sheriff
Jan. 6, 1999
The Virginia Range Wildlife Protective Association is the only organization authorized to coordinate donation for the reward fund at this time. They have confirmed pledges totaling $35,000. In order to reduce the possibility of informant withholding information in the hopes of collecting more money, the reward will be capped at the $35,000.

Should it be determined that an increase in the reward amount be necessary, they are willing to reactivate their efforts immediately through the use of their web siteVRWPA Web Site http://members.aol.com/vrwpa/, telephone communications (775) 741-0180 or FAX (775) 847-7199.
Address:
Virginia Range Wildlife Protection Association
P.O. Box 996, Virginia City, NV 89440 


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