More than 100 stray horses to be removed after crashes

State officials said a rash of collisions between vehicles and abandoned domestic horses on three rural highways in Northern Nevada is prompting the removal of as many as 100 of the animals from the range.

Nevada Agriculture Department spokesman Ed Foster said his agency is taking the action after more than 30 horses were hit by vehicles over the last 50 days on U.S. Highway 50 between Dayton and Silver Springs, Alternate Highway 95 near Silver Springs and State Route 341 near Virginia City.

Though authorities were unaware of any fatalities or serious injuries to people, most horses involved were killed or had to be euthanized.

Foster said the problem is being caused by stray horses that are coming down from the Virginia Range in search of forage and water.