Ranch owner sues over bison slaughter

Rocky Mountain News

Originally published 10:29 p.m., April 22, 2008
Updated 10:29 p.m., April 22, 2008

The owner of 32 bison slaughtered in Park County after they strayed off his property has filed a lawsuit, alleging his neighbor hired 14 hunters to kill the animals.

Longtime Colorado rancher Monte Downare filed the lawsuit in Park County District Court Tuesday against Austin, Texas, businessman Jeff Hawn and his Denver lawyer, Stephen Csajaghy.

Downare claims "outrageous conduct" that has caused him emotional distress. No charges have been filed.

When reached at home Tuesday, Downare said he had not yet received a copy of the complaint filed on his behalf. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.

The carcasses of the bison were found last month strewn over hundreds of acres on a private ranch near Eleven Mile Reservoir, about 85 miles southwest of Denver.

Hawn, who has identified himself as a major shareholder in Wateredge Properties, had filed a lawsuit days before the slain bison were discovered. Hahn's suit contends the animals had broken through the property's fences and damaged or destroyed the fences in 50 places.

After the animals were killed, Csajaghy said his client "had no other choice" but to get rid of the animals after they had broken down the fence and trampled across his property.

Park County Sheriff Fred Wegener confirmed the dead bison were not on Downare's property and noted that "there is a dispute" between the two neighbors.

Wegner also said about a dozen hunters had told investigators that they had permission to kill the animals.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.