Lawmakers debate bill to allow Eastern Washington residents to kill animal-attacking wolves

People in the eastern Washington may soon be allowed to kill wolves caught in the act of attacking animals on their property without having to obtain a permit. State lawmakers signed a petition Tuesday requesting the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to enact two wolf-control measures that have stalled in the state legislature, the Spokesman-Review reports. The proposal also suggests non-lethal alternatives. (AP photo)

Gray wolves have been removed from the endangered list, but are still protected by state laws. "State wildlife managers have testified at legislative committee hearings that the measures would likely result in few wolves killed," the newspaper reports, citing similar laws in Idaho and Wyoming, where only three wolves have been taken. (Read more)

"Senate Bill 5187 would allow rural dwellers to kill a gray wolf caught in the act of attacking or threatening livestock or another domestic animal, no permit required," the paper reports. "Senate Bill 5193 would allow the State Wildlife Account to be used for compensating owners of livestock for damage caused by wolves. It also would create a new account to be used for livestock predation claims." Under the existing law, livestock has to be raised to be sold to qualify for wildlife damage compensation. (Read more)