A Dane County judge has ruled hunters can use dogs to hunt wolves, but he struck down a rule that allows hunters to train dogs to do that hunting. The somewhat confusing ruling left both sides claiming partial victory in the legal dispute over wolf hunting.The attorney for the Department of Natural Resources Tim Andryk says the split ruling will give the department time to hold hearings and write permanent regulations restricting the use of dogs in the state’s new wolf hunt, “Meeting with our stake holders, talk to the tribes about it. So we got an extensive year worth of public meeting hearings public input on permanent rules on the wolf season which will address dogs and all other issues.”
But the attorney for one of the humane societies, Carl Sinderbrand, says Friday’s ruling also included strong criticism of the DNR and hunters groups. He says while dogs can still hunt wolves at least their owners can’t train them by tracking wolves out of season, “You know when I see a piece of marble cake I’d like to eat it all, but I can be satisfied with just one slice.”
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