Lawsuit Aims to Alter Wolf Hunt

A new lawsuit aims to block the use of dogs during wolf hunting this fall, until changes are made in state rules.

The DNR recently approved rules for the state’s first modern-era wolf hunting and trapping season, scheduled to begin in October. But several humane societies and individuals in Wisconsin are taking the DNR to court. The plaintiffs say the DNR rules don’t follow a state law passed this spring that limits use of dogs during the wolf hunt to tracking or trailing wolves. Plaintiffs’ attorney Carl Sinderbrand it’s quite possible the dogs may try to kill or be killed be wolves.

Sinderbrand says the DNR should have put in safeguards to keep wolves and dogs apart.

Sinderbrand also says the DNR should also require that the wolf-tracking dogs be kept on leads or leashes, and require hunter training that limits wolf-dog interaction. Several wolf experts in Wisconsin are supporting the lawsuit.

A DNR spokesperson says the agency is disappointed with news of the legal action, but declined additional comment until seeing specifics of the lawsuit. The DNR says 8000 people have now applied to kill wolves this fall.