SEATTLE — A three-judge federal appeals court panel has rejected a woman’s lawsuit over her husband’s fatal goring by a mountain goat in Olympic National Park, but two of the three suggested court precedent should be changed in a way that would allow her to pursue her claims.
Susan Chadd sued the federal government after her husband, 63-year-old Robert Boardman, was gored in the leg by the 370-pound animal in 2010. The goat had been threatening visitors for years, and Chadd argued park officials were negligent in failing to kill or relocate it.
A judge in Tacoma rejected her claims, saying the federal government is immune from lawsuit when officials are exercising discretion.