Kretz' Wolf Sanctuary
I'm Bob Larson. Call it a type of "puppy love," but you've undoubtedly heard by now about the bill introduced by Eastern Washington Representative Joel Kretz that would establish a wolf sanctuary on Puget Sound's Bainbridge Island.
His, House Bill 1639, is in response to a bill from Bainbridge Island Democrat, Sherry Appleton who has proposed prohibiting the state Department of Fish and Wildlife from killing wolves in order to protect livestock.
Kretz, from the Seventh District in Okanogan County, where ranchers and farmers and people in general have spent the past decade learning to live with wolves in their backyard, says its time to share the Eastern Washington love of predatory wolves with the folks in Puget Sound, who want to protect them ...
KRETZ ... "If that's the kind of legislation that someone from Bainbridge Island is going to be running to impose on us who actually have wolves, maybe it would help broaden her mind a little bit to experience the benefits of wolves. So what better place than Bainbridge Island?"
Kretz says if Westside legislators who live on a protected island hundreds of miles away from wolves want to prohibit Eastern Washington ranchers and farmers from protecting their families and property, maybe it's time to share those wolves ...
KRETZ ... "With this bill, we can deliver 'em right to them. I've had lots of offers from the 7th District. If you need my stock trailer, I'll bring a load of wolves."
Kretz bill also provides guidance on when the state may use lethal removal of wolves on the island.
The measure now awaits a hearing in the House Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
