February 6, 2008, Introduced by Reps. Lahti, Lindberg, Green, Gillard, Casperson, Meekhof, Hammel, Hammon, Espinoza, Sheltrown, McDowell, Melton and Booher and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
A bill to authorize the removal, capture, or lethal control of
a gray wolf that is killing, wounding, or biting livestock under
certain circumstances; and to promulgate rules.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. As used in this act:
(a) "Conservation officer" means that term as defined in
section 1b of the state employees' retirement act, 1943 PA 240, MCL
38.1b.
(b) "Department" means the department of natural resources.
(c) "Livestock" means those species of animals used for human
food or fiber or those species of animals used for service to
humans. Livestock includes, but is not limited to, cattle, sheep,
new world camelids, goats, bison, privately owned cervids, ratites,
swine, equine, poultry, aquaculture, and rabbits.
Sec. 3. (1) The owner of livestock or his or her designated
agent may 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.
(2) The owner of the livestock or his or her designated agent
shall report the taking of a gray wolf to a conservation officer as
soon as practicable, but not later than 24 hours after the taking.
A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 or more than $500.00.
(3) The owner of the livestock or his or her designated agent
shall retain possession of a gray wolf taken until a conservation
officer is available to take possession of and transfer the gray
wolf to the appropriate department personnel for examination. A
person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 or more than $500.00.
(4) The owner of the livestock or his or her designated agent
may report the taking of a gray wolf by utilizing the department's
report all poaching hotline at 1-800-292-7800.
Sec. 5. The department may promulgate rules to implement this
act pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA
306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328.