OLYMPIA, Wash. — Central Washington
lawmakers are pleased with the state Fish and Wildlife Commission’s new
emergency rule allowing the killing of wolves caught in the act of
killing livestock.
Previously, livestock owners were required to obtain a state permit to kill gray wolves attacking their animals. “I have heard repeatedly from my constituents about
their concerns with a great expansion of wolves,” Rep. Charles Ross,
R-Naches, said in a news release. “People should have the right to
protect their livestock and pets on their own property.”
The new rule, approved Friday, requires property
owners to report the incident within 24 hours, surrender the wolf
carcass to the Department of Fish and Wildlife and provide investigators
access to the property where the wolf was killed. If the killing was
not justified, the killer of the wolf may be prosecuted for unlawful
taking of endangered wildlife, the rule said. “This emergency rule restores common sense to this
threat and will give all parties time to find a solution that is
agreeable for all,” Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima, said in a statement.
Reps. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, and David Taylor, R-Moxee, also issued statements supporting the rule change. Chandler co-sponsored House Bill 1191, which would
have allowed property owners the authority granted to them under the
rule change made Friday. Neither that bill nor its companion, Senate
Bill 5187, were able to clear both houses this session. The Senate bill
was co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside.
The rule can remain in effect for up to eight
months. The panel also decided to pursue a permanent rule allowing the
killing of a wolf caught in the act of attacking livestock or pets — a
process that will take months and could result in a rule different from
the emergency provision.
Commissioners noted there have been recent and
escalating reports of wolf attacks on pets and livestock, particularly
in northeastern Washington, where the bulk of the state’s estimated 100
gray wolves are located. Wolf numbers have grown rapidly in recent years
as the animals migrate to Washington from other states.
The state last year had to wipe out a pack of wolves known as the Wedge Pack that was preying on cattle.
• Information from the Associated Press was used in this blog post.
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