Claims Against Tribe Stemming From Horse Roundup Dismissed

In a significant legal decision, a federal judge has dismissed claims against the Nevada Indian tribal government concerning a controversial horse roundup in Washoe County. The ruling underscores the tribe's sovereign immunity, despite allegations of wrongful horse inclusion.

Legal Dismissal of Claims

RENO, NEV. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed claims against a Nevada Indian tribal government over a disputed horse roundup in Washoe County.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports U.S. District Court Judge Miranda Du says even if claims the roundup swept up horses that shouldn't have been included are true, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe's status as a sovereign government shields it from legal claims.

Order to Protect Horses

Du says a Jan. 17 order to refrain from sending horses to slaughter while the search for Lady, a privately owned horse thought to have been wrongly herded away, continues.

Lady's owner says that in the immediate aftermath of the roundup she begged officials to allow her to search temporary holding pens for her horse, to no avail.

Efforts by American Wild Horse Conservation

The case stems from an effort by nonprofit American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) to recover at least 271 horses in Palomino Valley.

Originally posted by US News