Federal authorities are investigating a former state conservation warden for killing a wolf last month in northern Wisconsin.
Chief Deputy Andy Runice with the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office said authorities received a call around 2 a.m. on Dec. 25 from Pat Quaintance, who said he had shot a collared wolf at his home in Bayfield.
The incident is under investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Runice said Bayfield County is working in cooperation with federal authorities and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Runice declined to comment on what happened just before the shooting, saying that’s part of the ongoing investigation.
“Our deputies responded to that residence. They located the wolf and took possession of it,” Runice said. “Then, they later released (the wolf’s body) to a conservation game warden with the DNR.”
Runice said he’s unaware if there have been other incidents involving wolves at the Quaintance residence. He said county law enforcement occasionally receive complaints of wolves harassing livestock. Runice said it’s very rare to receive a complaint of an animal attack.