Wild horse slaughter continues

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000 | 11 a.m.

An anonymous phone call has led U.S. Forest Service investigators to three more slaughtered horses near Lee Canyon, bringing the total number of animals shot and killed during the past two months to nine.

The three animals, identified as a 10-year-old horse, a 4-year-old filly and an 8-month-old colt, are believed to have been shot and killed by those responsible for the deaths of four other horses and two burros found in the same area on Dec. 30.

"Two other investigators and I went up to search the area again over the weekend after getting a tip that there was a dead colt," Forest Service officer Melody Stehwien said. "A veterinarian confirmed these horses were shot around the same time as the others."

All nine animals were found a few miles west of U.S. 95 along State Route 156 in the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area. Investigators believe the animals were killed sometime in late November or early December, Stehwien said.

A Metro Police search and rescue helicopter patrolled the area where the animals were found, but there could still be more dead horses or burros near where the others were found, she said.

"I can't say there are no more out there," Stehwien said. "There is a lot of space out there. Along with the helicopter flyover, the National Horse Association has ridden through the area."

The animals have been identified as part of the Wheeler Pass-Wallace Canyon herd, one of three herds roaming in the Lee Canyon area. The Wheeler Pass-Wallace Canyon herd includes about 50 horses and around 40 burros, according to a 1997 Forest Service census.

Because of the ongoing investigation into the animals' deaths, Stehwien wouldn't comment on what type of gun was used, but National Horse Association President Craig Leets, citing the lack of shell casings at the crime scene, speculates that someone shot the animals with a rifle from the back of a pickup.

Under Nevada law the killing of wild horses or burros is a felony punishable by a $2,000 fine and a possible prison sentence, Stehwien said.

Killing of wild horses became a class C felony when a bill sponsored by state Sen. Dina Titus passed in last year's legislative session.

"I just can't understand someone who drives around and shoots these animals for the hell of it," Titus said.

U.S. attorneys are prosecuting three men in connection with the 1998 shootings of more than two dozen mustangs in the hills east of Reno. The men accused of killing the mustangs on Dec. 27, 1998, will go to trial on April 17 in Virginia City.

The reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for shooting the animals near Lee Canyon has ballooned to $17,250.

Anyone with information on the animals can call Forest Service officials at (888) 818-8177 or leave an anonymous message after 7 p.m. at (435) 652-3119.