CARSON CITY — A court has ruled that an environmental group can challenge a federal program to shoot, trap and poison predatory animals such as coyotes and ravens in Nevada.
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said today that WildEarth Guardians has legal standing to question the control methods employed by the federal Department of Agriculture.
Bethany Cotton, wildlife program director for the New Mexico conservationist group, says the federal agency used 40-year-old science to support its program to control animal predators.
Cotton said the suit now returns to federal court in Las Vegas to determine if the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Agriculture Department is using outdated information and has failed to update its environmental impact statement.
The WildEarth lawsuit maintains the program hinders its members from enjoying outdoor activities.
Member Donald Molde said he had to stop walking his dog in some areas because he feared the animal would be caught in a leg trap set for coyotes. He said the program also has reduced the number of ravens he sees while bird watching.
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