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TURF WAR: Ranchers, Bureau of Land Management square off in Nevada

Posted at 8:43 PM, Apr 10, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-10 21:01:04-04

BUNKERVILLE, NV (WTVR) -- Ranchers in Nevada are rallying to stop federal agents from rounding up and removing cattle from public lands.

KLAS reports protesters faced off with officers from the Bureau of Land Management and park rangers Wednesday over the cattle dispute.

The Bundy family told KLAS they are willing to fight until the end, by getting in front of cars, and even getting tasered to prevent the cattle from being rounded up.

One skirmish, which quickly turned into an angry mob, left some protesters hurt. And Ammon Bundy said he was tasered twice.

"They pulled it out again, probably because I didn't drop on the ground. I was convulsing, but not dropping," said Bundy, who showed off marks on his neck and chest.

One of the Bundy sisters, who claimed she was also injured after a ranger ran into her with his car, said she felt a hard push before she was knocked on the ground.

Ammon Bundy

The family claims agents are killing their cattle in the process of rounding them up from the public land.

"Which is just one of the consequences of the allowing the federal government to come out here and access this land," said Ammon Bundy.

Federal agents deny those allegations.

However, the community is worried and joined the family along the side of road, telling the Bureau of Land Management to get out.

"Whenever you spend 3 million dollars to supposedly collect what they would say a million dollars in back fees, there's something basically wrong there," said Blair Adams.

Protester Jim Lordy came to the group packing a weapon, representing Operation Mutual Aid.

"We're here to make sure the citizens’ rights aren't violated," Lordy said.

While the Bundys don't feel guns are necessary, they are planning to stand their ground and continue the protest until the agents leave.

The Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service released a statement which read, "some peaceful protests have crossed into illegal activity" and that those actions have "jeopardized the safety of individuals" and "have been responded to with appropriate law enforcement actions."