Bundy Family Statement on Neglect Charges against Cliven Bundy

Bundy Family Statement on Neglect Charges against Cliven Bundy

 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 13th.

 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 25th, 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 5th 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 Bundy's) with their lives if they left the paved roads.

 The Bundy family and community members were gang beaten, captured and tortured, thrown to the pavement, tasered multiple times with dogs siced on them, all simply for expressing their first amendment rights in distaste for the excessive display of force by our federal government.

Margaret Houston body slammed by federal agent  

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 mother's from their calves (many calves and cattle were killed).

Our federal government mounting against the American people

Many cattle were killed and either left on the range or dropped in this mass grave

The Bundy cattle that lived were put in extreme 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 inhumanly. 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?

 If Bob Apple, Danielle Beck's lawyer cared for his client more than just getting his name in the paper, he would go after the federal agencies who caused the cattle to be distressed enough to go through a state maintained fence and onto the freeway. Or, he would go after the State of Nevada who bears the responsibility in maintaining the freeway fences and gates.

 The humorous part is that both the State and the feds have more funds to pay out than some poor rancher driving a 13 year old beat up pick up, living in a 1200 square foot home (without air conditioning) a home that he has primarily lived in since he was 4 years old. But the lawyer knows Cliven cannot defend himself as well as the State and feds can, so who does he sue?

 We do not blame attorney Bob Apple for going after the easy prey, it is some lawyer's nature to do so. This whole incident is just another example of what happens when the federal government oversteps it's bounds and tries to meddle in matters that they do not have jurisdiction or authority over.

Sincerely,
The Bundy Family