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Guest opinion: Who is negligent?

The Bundy Family
for Tri-State Livestock News
Stewards of the Land: Ranchers, Livestock and Federal Lands Editor's Note: We have compiled a list of all the articles we have published, as well as a timeline of the events, surrounding the Bundy Standoff and other incidents relating to government control of public lands such as the Hammond Fire Trial and the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Click here to read more. 

Last week, in the Clark County District Court, Danielle Beck filed a lawsuit against Cliven Bundy for “recklessly, carelessly and negligently allowing his cows to enter onto Interstate 15. Danielle reportedly ran into a distressed cow on I-15 the night of April 13.

As we learn more details of Danielle Beck and her accident we are grateful that she was not injured further. We are also thankful that she has returned to work and hope her life is back to normal.

As for the charges against Cliven, they are ironic, humorous and come with questionable motives.



On March 25, The Bureau of Land Management along with at least 4 other federal agencies came onto the Bundy Range and set up a military like compound.

On April 5 they locked down the range surrounded the ranch with sniper and heavily armed federally hired mercenaries. Placing armed militants and advanced surveillance equipment on ever entry point of the range. They verbally and physically threatened the community (especially the Bundys) with their lives if they left the paved roads.



During this historical week we were unable to freely go on the range to check the cattle’s whereabouts or their condition.

The federal agencies were gathering the cattle by helicopter, shooting them by air, scattering them and separating the mothers from their calves (many cattle were killed). The Bundy cattle that lived were put in distress and disorientation.

It was not until April 12 (Saturday) after over a thousand protesters went up to the compound and forced the flight of the federal agencies and returned the captured cattle, that we could freely get on the range to check the damages and the remaining herd.

It was the very next night that Danielle Beck hit one of the distressed cattle. By this time the surviving cattle had been scattered by air into areas they normally may not have gone, shot at, sore footed, many captured and held inhumanely. They were looking for their calves and looking for water.

So here is the irony, Cliven’s life would have been taken by federal agents if he would have checked on the cattle, yet he is charged for neglect, carelessness and recklessness for not doing so. We do not have to point out who was reckless, careless and negligent.

Sincerely,

The Bundy Family

–edited for length