The Currituck County Board of Commissioners weighed their options at their Monday, July 6 meeting to decide if a change to the county ordinance restricting how close individuals may approach the wild horses located on the northern Currituck Outer Banks.
County Attorney, Ike McRee, met recently with Lieutenant Jason Bank of the Currituck Sheriff’s Department and Karen McAlpin of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund to discuss some concerns that people were getting to close to the wild horses to take photos, putting children next to the wild horses and even walking in the middle of a herd.
McRee stated in the memo that as currently drafted, the Code of Ordinances does not prohibit such acts unless the person has lured or in some manner enticed the wild horse to approach them.
McRee continues that the proposed ordinance change will make unlawful any person intentionally coming within 50 feet of a wild horse. Law enforcement, animal control, wild horse sanctuary officers and veterinarians rendering treatment to a wild horse would be exempt from the 50 foot limit.
