Although the Pueblo later withdrew the request for Secretarial approval, news reports indicated that the Pueblo was proceeding with plans for the dog racing enterprise. Last November the Pueblo submitted to the Secretary a proposal to build a dog racing track on reservation lands near Albuquerque.
The Secretary said he recognizes the proposal was intended to raise income to accomplish 'a variety of worthwhile and important objectives' for the reservation, but 'it would be irresponsible for me silently to acquiesce in the Pueblo's engaging in activities which specifically have been called to my attention and which appear to violate federal criminal law.' Secretary of the Interior Don Hodel said today he has sent letters to the Pueblo of Santa Ana and to the New Mexico Attorney General rejecting the Pueblo's proposal to conduct parimutuel wagering on greyhound dog races on reservation land.