By Nicholas K. Geranios
Associated Press Writer
 
February 8, 2010
 
SPOKANE, Wash. -- The federal government has failed to make a decision about protecting the rare pygmy rabbit in eight Western states.
 
That's the contention of a lawsuit filed in federal court in Boise by an environmental group seeking to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to act.
 
The Western Watersheds Project lawsuit wants the agency to make its decision on whether to grant endangered species protection to the rare, tiny rabbits. Courts had previously demanded the decision, which is long overdue.