ALLOW FARMERS TO CAPTURE OR KILL

GRAY WOLVES ATTACKING LIVESTOCK

House Bill 5686

Sponsor:  Rep. Michael Lahti

Committee:  Agriculture

Complete to 6-23-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5686 AS INTRODUCED 2-6-08

The bill would create a new act permitting a livestock owner to capture or kill a gray wolf preying on the owner's animals. 

Specifically, the owner of livestock (or the owner's designated agent) could remove, capture, or, if deemed necessary, use lethal means to destroy a gray wolf "that is in the act of killing, wounding, or biting the owner's livestock."  The bill would authorize the Department of Natural Resources to promulgate implementing rules.

"Livestock" would mean animal species used for human food or fiber or used for service to humans, including species of "cattle, sheep, new world camelids [e.g., llamas and alpacas], goats, bison, privately owned cervids [e.g. deer and elk], ratites [e.g., ostriches and emus], swine, equine, poultry, aquaculture, and rabbits."  [This is the same definition of livestock as contained in Section 5(2) of the Animal Industry Act, except that act explicitly excludes dogs and cats from the definition of livestock, while this bill is silent as to dogs and cats.]  

Reporting and holding requirements.  The owner or agent would have to both (1) report the taking of a gray wolf to a conservation officer as soon as practicable within 24 hours, and (2) hold the wolf until a conservation officer could take possession of it and transfer it for examination by DNR personnel. [The DNR's "Report All Poaching Hotline" (1-800-292-7800) could be used to report the taking of gray wolf.] 

Penalty.  A violation of either of these requirements would be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $500. 

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in process.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Shannan Kane

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   William E. Hamilton

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.