Reno Takes Action to Enhance Wild Horse Safety Following Recent Incidents

Reno, NV – In the wake of three wild horse collisions occurring in October near Damonte Ranch, the City of Reno has embarked on a mission to enhance safety for both these magnificent creatures and the local community. Councilwoman Naomi Duerr announced the city’s efforts to reduce such incidents and safeguard the cherished wild horse population.

“We’re really pleased to announce that we were awarded half a million dollars from the federal ARPA funds, and those will be used to help us fully fence this range,” Councilwoman Duerr revealed during a recent interview with 2 News.

The upcoming fencing project, aimed at safeguarding the horses and motorists, is scheduled to commence in Spring 2024, with completion expected by 2026.

This endeavor follows a previous initiative focused on equine safety, where the city installed new nighttime speed limit signs along South Veterans Parkway in March. According to Duerr and the Reno Police Department, the implementation of these signs resulted in a notable reduction in horse-related collisions during the summer.

“Sergeant Adam Blount with Reno Police Department’s traffic division emphasized the importance of preventing these collisions and highlighted the potential severity of horse-related crashes. “Our occupants of the car are way more susceptible to being injured because of the height of the horse,” he noted.

Duerr stressed that accidents often have tragic consequences for the wild horses involved. In the recent October incidents, two out of the three horses struck had to be euthanized due to the severity of their injuries. She further expressed her concern, stating, “Generally, what I’ve seen is the horses die. The cars are totaled. So far we haven’t had a loss of human life, but I feel it’s only a matter of time.”

In response to these issues, Duerr encouraged residents to report any sightings of horses on roadways to the Wild Horse Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to managing the Virginia Range horses on city property. You can reach the Wild Horse Connection at (775) 352-3944.

Credits: 2News