Anti-Hunt Activists Fire First Shot in Bighorn War

Anti-hunt activists made the first move in California’s bighorn sheep hunt that starts today: a $1-million lawsuit against the Department of Fish and Game and other pro-hunt factions, including 20 unnamed “Does.”

The suit is wholly related to incidents involved in last year’s bighorn hunt, the first in California in 114 years. It was filed quietly in Sacramento County Superior Court Thursday by attorney Daniel P. Whaley on behalf of plaintiffs Lyn Dessaux and Christie Bricknell.

The civil action variously charges the DFG, the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep, society President Loren Lutz and his son Kennis Lutz with assault and battery, false arrest/false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, violation of civil rights, general negligence and exemplary damages, and asks $1 million in punitive damages.

Lutz, a retired Pasadena dentist, made a citizen’s arrest of Dessaux, Bricknell and two others when they interfered with last year’s hunt by frightening away rams as the hunters were about to shoot. Lutz has admitted locking them in a stock trailer until DFG wardens arrived to take them to jail, where they spent two days.

Charges later were dismissed.

The suit further charges that Loren Lutz, on horseback, struck Dessaux on the head with “a lariat or bullwhip,” that Kennis Lutz, on foot, broke Dessaux’s nose with a punch, and that both Lutzes “brandished firearms in a threatening manner.”

Whaley said the DFG is charged because its wardens failed to comply with a request by the plaintiffs to make a counter-citizen’s arrest of the Lutzes.

Verena Gill, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs group, planned to serve the Lutzes as the hunt gets under way this morning. They are expected to be guiding some of the 8 hunters who drew special permits in a state lottery.

Whaley, who said he is donating his fees and expenses, said, “We’ll find ‘em wherever they are.”

About 40 activists are expected to be in the two eastern Mojave Desert sectors of the hunt, along with DFG wardens and Bureau of Land Management rangers who hope to prevent trouble.