Resolution in fatal wolf shooting case

A resolution of the fatal wolf shooting case south of Pullman last October was reached Sept. 14 with filing of a misdemeanor charge against Jonathan Rasmussen, according to Prosecutor Denis Tracy. He also announced the misdemeanor charge would be dismissed on condition that Rassmussen pay $100 in court fees and commit no further fish or game violations over six months.

Tracy, in his report Sept. 14, said state law requires filing of a misdemeanor charge for the shooting of a grey wolf, which is listed as an endangered species. He noted the resolution of the case will be viewed by people who have emotions for or against wolves.

Tracy reported he decided on the course of action after considering several factors. He noted this type of resolution is common in state game cases where defendants do not have prior game offenses. Tracy also said he spoke with Rasmussen's attorney several times and believed the defense had a number of legal and factual arguments which put the chances of a conviction in doubt had the case gone to trial.

Rasmussen was represented by Pullman Attorney Roger Sandberg.

Tracy also noted Rasmussen was the one who called 911 and reported shooting the wolf, and Rasmussen had to forfeit a rifle and scope which was used in the shooting to the game department.

Among critics of the action is Mitch Freidman, executive director of Conservation Northwest. Friedman told the Gazette he was bothered by several of the points Tracy listed in his statement following the decision.

In Associated Press reports Sept. 16, Friedman pointed out Rasmussen could have gone to Idaho and purchased a license and tag to legally shoot a wolf for less than the $100 settlement in the Whitman County case. He told the Gazette he has since checked Idaho's rates and determined the fee for an out-of-state hunter to shoot a wolf in Idaho is $181.

Freidman's written comments on the case resolution included statements from Capt. Dan Rahn of the WDFW who said his reading of the report indicated Rasmussen “basically chased the animal down with his vehicle, trying to keep up with it and shooting at it in various locations. It wasn't threatening anybody or anything.”

According to the investigation report obtained by the Gazette earlier this year, Rasmussen first spotted the wolf on top of a hill as he was driving westbound toward Highway 195 on Kirkendahl Road Oct. 12, 2014. Game agents said they determined Rasmussen, who was traveling with his wife and two children in a Dodge truck, followed the wolf for seven miles.

Kirkendahl Road is located about a mile and half south of the junction of Highway 195 and 27 south of Pullman.

Rasmussen's account said they followed the wolf across Highway 195 and at one point the wolf crossed in front of them on a dirt road. He followed the wolf on Barbee Road and then on Dunning Road. Rasmussen's account said he shot at the wolf in two different instances. After they saw the wolf was injured and down in a field he called 911 to report to game agents. The report said agents determined the wolf was still alive when they arrived on the scene and they euthanized the animal.

Statements from Rasmussen's wife in the agent's report noted they first saw the wolf behind a neighbor's house which was located across the highway from where the Rasmussens reside and operate a horse boarding business. Her account noted three other homes are located near their residence.

The report from WDFW Agent Doug King was the basis of a Feb. 19, 2015 article in the Gazette which was written by the late Sally Ousley. It noted the WDFW report totaled 24 pages. Prosecutor Tracy at that time said the shooting case was still under review.