Sunday afternoon, 12-27-98, Wild Horse Spirit was contacted by Washoe County Animal Control regarding a report that a young horse was shot & wounded around the Rattlesnake Mountain near the Reno area. Reportedly at least two other horses were dead. We met with a Washoe Animal Control officer, a Washoe County Sheriff & followed the person who reported the shootings into the Virginia Range mountains east of Reno to the location. We weren’t prepared for what we finally saw. As it turned out these were the first six of what now has evolved into at least 34 wild horses shot & killed in this area. A holiday massacre.

This is where the filly has dug into the ground with her front feet but couldn't move.

This courageous, small little filly was alive but had been shot in the back through the spinal cord. Her back legs paralyzed. She had been lying there at least 1 ½ to two days & intermittently struggled to get up, but couldn’t. She was critically injured & sadly, had to be euthanized by the officer.

The last photo of the Filly.

The other five horses that were dead included a 5-6 month old stud colt that had been sprayed with a whitish material over the mouth, nose, eyes, genitals & rectal areas. The remaining horses were a nursing mare & her 6-7 month old filly & two stallions. Thanks to the Washoe County Officer Spratley, an excellent investigation began at that time while other authorities were notified.

So far, we understand, the REWARD is an accumulative $25,000 leading to the arrest & conviction of the person(s) responsible. Call Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900, if you have any information about this crime.

Official Updated Releases on the investigation can be obtained from Washoe County Public Information Office (PIO), Lt. Janice Lee at (775)328-3320.

How can you help? Call elected officials to express your concern about what has happened & urge the continued investigation to make an arrest(s) & prosecution of those responsible & punished to the fullest extreme of the law.

ALSO, urge re-introduction & passage of the Felony bill in the 1999 Nevada Legislature that makes it a "Felony for the intentional & unauthorized killing of a wild horse & burro on public lands AND to include this time, (estray) wild horses on private open ranges, which includes the Virginia Range (estray) wild horses". These are Wild Horse Annies’ horse progeny that started her on the long & gruesome journey that ended in passage of the 1971 Wild Horse & Burro Protection. Unfortunately, these horses as well as other wild horses were not included under the protection of the ACT. Nevada Senator Dina Titus (D-Las Vegas) has introduced & re-introduced the Felony bill since 1993, but Senator Dean Rhodes (R-Tuscarora) who is a public lands rancher has never allowed the bill off his desk. Senator Lawrence Jacobsen (R-Western District) who has advised people "to get their shot guns out" when wild horses come on their property, was also on this committee. Call Senator Titus from the south to give her support & urge her to re-introduce this bill in 1999. We also feel newly elected Congresswoman, Bonnie Parnell, will be supportive from the north.

The seemingly intent of two Nevada Bills, SB 27 & SB 211, that passed during the 1997 Nevada legislature, was to get rid of wild horses under the guise of "management". Removed from their rightful free-roaming state. There is no provision in these laws that protect wild horses that remain free-roaming. Certainly, if a horse is injured & needs vet attention to survive or a horse that is in jeopardy, removal for their safety & protection is necessary & adoption is an option. Passage of the Felony Bill is one of the most urgent issue for the preservation & protection of Nevada’s wild horses.

Wild Horse Shootings In Virginia Range, east of Reno/Sparks, Nevada. Video unedited 17 minutes.

For other information contact:
Bobbi Royle
Wild Horse Spirit, Ltd.
(775) 883-5488;
Fax 884-2333;
e-mail: wildhorses@pyramid.net.

1-08-99
Ask Senator Dina Titus to re-introduce the Felony Bill
How can you help? | Important Contacts | HR Home

1-10-99
1-10-99 Fred Boyce Donates 1,500 Prints to Benefit Wild Horses

1. Ask Senator Dina Titus to re-introduce the Felony bill, but to include the "estray" wild horses along with the BLM wild horses. Newly elected Nevada Representative Bonnie Parnell (D-Carson City District), we understand, is favorable to wild horses. With Senator Titus from the south & Representative Parnell from the north, along with other legislators who are strong enough to come forth to help, Nevada will unite for a very important issue ---- the Felony bill. This is not a politically popular issue.

2. Washoe County Commissioners: Ask that consideration of "no unauthorized discharging" of fire arms within the county, except in designated areas. Carrying firearms, of course, is OK. Ted Short, recently elected, may be amenable to considering this issue.

3. Request that Washoe County Commission support & endorsed the Felony Bill.

4. etc.

Supportive Elected Officials:

• Newly elected Washoe Co. Ted Short (R) -(775)328-2005 (1001 E. 9th Street, Reno, NV 89512) -He assumes office this month. He lives in the Virginia Foothills off Geiger Grade Road going to Virginia City,

• Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell (D) -2501 Nona Drive, Carson City, NV 89701
  

• Senator Dina Titus (D) -1637 Travois Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

NEVADA NEWSPAPERS:

• Nevada Appeal (Carson City -Fax (775)887-2420
• Reno Gazette Journal (Reno) -Fax (775)788-6458
• Las Vegas Review (Las Vegas) Fax ( 702 )383-4676
• Sparks Tribune (Sparks) Fax 358-3837
• Record Courier (Gardnerville-Minden) Fax 782-6132.
  
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  1-10-99 Fred Boyce Donates 1,500 Prints to Benefit Wild Horses
  

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  Wild Horse Spirit Ltd.
  25 Lewers Creek Road
  Carson City, NV 89704
  Telephone (775) 329-0992
  FAX (775) 884-2333
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