GRAY WOLF ATTACKING DOG S.B. 1077:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]
Senate Bill 1077 (as introduced 2-5-08)
Sponsor: Senator Mike Prusi
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Date Completed: 5-29-08
CONTENT
The bill would create a new act to do the following:
-- Authorize the removal, capture, or killing of a gray wolf that was attacking a dog.
-- Prescribe procedures following the legal taking of a gray wolf.
-- Prescribe a misdemeanor penalty for a violation of the procedures.
Specifically, the owner of a dog, or his or her designated agent, could remove, capture, or, if deemed necessary, use lethal means to destroy a gray wolf that was in the act of killing, wounding, or biting the owner's dog.
The owner or designated agent would have to report the taking of a gray wolf to a conservation officer as soon as practicable, but not later than 24 hours after the taking. The owner or designated agent would have to retain possession of the wolf until a conservation officer was available to take possession of and transfer it to the appropriate Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel for examination. A person who violated either of these provisions would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of at least $50 but not more than $500.
The owner or designated agent could report the taking of a gray wolf by using the DNR's Report All Poaching hotline at 1-800-292-7800.
The DNR could promulgate rules to implement the proposed act pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act.
Under the bill, "dog" would include a domesticated dog and a dog used for hunting.
Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State. The additional responsibilities of conservation officers to retrieve a gray wolf from the owner of the dog would be paid for from existing resources.
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on local government. There are no data to indicate how many offenders would be convicted of the proposed offenses involving the taking of gray wolves. Additional penal fine revenue would benefit public libraries.
Fiscal Analyst: Lindsay Hollander
Jessica RunnelsAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1077/0708