HOUSE BILL No. 6021

 

April 24, 2008, Introduced by Rep. McDowell 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 a dog 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) "Dog" includes, but is not limited to, a domesticated dog

 

and a dog used for hunting.

 

     Sec. 3. (1) The owner of a dog 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 dog.

 

     (2) The owner of the dog 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 dog 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 dog 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.