Supreme Court declines to reinstate wolf center’s license

By - Associated Press - Thursday, December 3, 2015 

 

SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Supreme Court is declining to reinstate the license of a wolf exhibition company in northern Idaho.

The high court issued a denial on Nov. 19, according to The Bonner County Daily Bee (http://bit.ly/1N5xL97).

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game in February suspended Wolf People’s commercial license for one year, contending the company failed to comply with a 2012 agreement prohibiting visitors from having physical contact with the wolves.

The agreement resolved 43 license violations, including failing to report the escape of a captive wolf and transporting wolves without permission.

Wolf people appealed the license suspension in district court, but 2nd District Judge Jay Gaskill upheld the state’s action. Wolf People’s attorneys argue the suspension violated founder Nancy Taylor’s right to due process, but Gaskill disagreed.

Wolf People’s appeal of Gaskill’s ruling was stayed while the Supreme Court considered staying the licensing action.

Oral arguments and briefing on the appeal will now commence, according to Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Trever, who is serving as Fish & Game’s counsel.

In an affidavit, Taylor said business at Wolf People has dropped 75 percent because of the media coverage of her licensing troubles with the state.

“I feel irreparable damage has been done to my business because many people left so disgusted that they could no longer see wolves here that they will never come back,” she said.
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Information from: Bonner County (Idaho) Daily Bee, http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com

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