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Missoula County presents updated draft to manage free-roaming horses; adoption set for Aug. 25
Summary
Missoula County officials presented a revised countywide resolution Aug. 6 that adds roadside signage, clarifies stray vs. abandoned definitions and proposes population-management coordination with the Department of Livestock; commissioners will consider adoption on Aug. 25 after incorporating public comments.
Missoula County officials reviewed a revised draft resolution on Aug. 6 intended to guide how the county addresses free-roaming (feral/abandoned) horses across the county.
"For the record, my name is Chris Lounsbury. I am the chief administrative officer for Missoula County," Lounsbury said, and summarized public input that informed the draft. He said the county had received "about 305 contributions and comments" through the Missoula County voice page, emails and phone calls and that common themes favored coexistence, requested signage, and asked for population management including fertility-control options where horses enter urban areas.
The draft adds a signage and public-safety section allowing county placement of signs advising motorists and residents not to approach or feed horses. Lounsbury also said the resolution now includes language to coordinate population-management measures with the Montana Department of Livestock and to clarify the statutory difference between "stray" and "abandoned" horses under Montana law.
Lounsbury emphasized the county's legal limits: the federal Wild Horse and Burros Act applies only to animals on federal lands, and these horses are on private property, so that particular federal statute does not grant the county a new authority.
The board will take additional public comment today, incorporate feasible edits, and expects to vote on a final resolution on Aug. 25.
