Judge Rejects Nevada Tribe's Effort to Block Government Cattle Auction

The Associated Press ^ | May 31, 2002

[Printers Angel]

PALOMINO VALLEY, Nev. (AP) - A federal judge on Friday denied a last-minute request to block the Bureau of Land Management from auctioning off cattle confiscated from an Indian tribe in northern Nevada. U.S. District Judge Howard McKibben ruled at 7:58 a.m. in Reno that the 8 a.m. auction could go forward in Palomino Valley, about 15 miles to the north.

The judge rejected an argument that selling the 157 animals would irreparably harm the Western Shoshone tribe. However, he ordered the federal government to hold on to any money it gets from the sale until legal issues are worked out.

McKibben also rejected the tribes' contention that the cattle were illegally seized last week from the Te-Moak Band of Western Shoshone south of Elko.

The bureau said the cattle were grazing on public land without a permit. It also said the tribe's livestock association owes the federal government about $2.5 million in fees and fines dating back to 1984.

[Printers Angel]

The bidding will start at $14,000.00 per cow.

[TADSLOS]

The judge rejected an argument that selling the 157 animals would irreparably harm the Western Shoshone tribe

Well, they could always open up a casino. Just think, entertainment starved people from Reno and Las Vegas would flock to the place to gamble! The tribe would be overflowing with $$$...err, wait a minute...

[Ben Ficklin]

BLM confiscates Elko County cattle

Ranchers, Indians appeal to County Sherrif

BLM boss, State's rights activists mixing it up

[Blue Screen of Death]

The indians should charge the government a fee. Their cattle are eating grass and converting it to government policy.