Sheriff demands action as gray wolves threaten livestock, public safety in Lassen County
LASSEN COUNTY, Calif. — Local ranchers and officials in Lassen County are raising alarms over the increasing threat posed by gray wolves, particularly the Harvey Pack, to livestock and public safety.
Sheriff McGarva of the Lassen County Sheriff's Office has sent a letter to Director Charlton "Chuck" Bonham of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, seeking assistance in finding a solution to the public safety threat posed by the wolves.
Sheriff McGarva attended a meeting at the Dixie Valley Ranch on March 20, alongside District Four Supervisor Aaron Albaugh, representatives from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and offices of Senator Megan Dahle and Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick. The meeting focused on the growing concern over cattle losses attributed to the wolves, with discussions on the limited effectiveness of current hazing and mitigation measures.
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"The wolves are displaying behavior that is atypical," Sheriff McGarva wrote, noting that the animals are unfazed by deterrents and are increasingly encroaching on residential areas.
On March 22, Sheriff McGarva, along with Modoc County Sheriff Tex Dowdy and Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher, attended the Cattlemen's Dinner and Business Meeting in McArthur. Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Assemblywoman Hadwick were also present, addressing the concerns and encounters shared by attendees. Both LaMalfa and Hadwick spoke about actions being taken at federal and state levels, while the sheriffs discussed local efforts to address the issue.
Community members are encouraged to voice their concerns by sending letters to Director Bonham at 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
The following is a copy of the letter sent by Sheriff McGarva:
"Director Bonham:
I am writing to bring a situation to your attention that is causing a public safety threat in Lassen County. Gray wolves have been a concern for the agricultural community in Lassen County since the first one was identified in California. Since 2016, their presence has become even more invasive and the threats to the ranching community are known and well documented. However, with the Harvey Pack, there is a greater concern for the safety and impact to the residents. in the month of March, there have been six calves reported to have been killed by this pack in the Big Valley area.
The Dixie Valley Ranch has experienced close encounters with wolves in their area. They have come within fifteen yards of one residence, attempted to gain access to food containers and other activity described as atypical for wolf behavior. The areas included a sandbox used by young children as a play area and the area of a fort the children had built. They have begun eating items that would be considered outside of normal behavior, including human trash and waste. This shows these wolves are becoming conditioned to a human scent being a reward. Residents of nearby ranches are seeing wolves becoming more aggressive. Residents have videos showing wolves attempting to charge them in an aggressive manner. While I understand this may be a protective action by the wolf, this behavior is causing a growing concern that the wolves will escalate their behavior and possibly start attacking the residents of the local ranches.
The residents have used the suggested mitigation or hazing techniques to try and get the wolves. The residents have used fladry, electrified their fences, and the use of noise-making devices designed to deter or scare the wolves away from the area. While they work for a short period of time (approximately one week), the wolves become desensitized to the devices, and they no longer work. The wolves continue to return to the area, causing the death of livestock and the threat to those who live in the area. The wolves are no longer concerned about the presence of humans in the area.
The residents have informed you and your department of the problems caused by the wolves at community meetings and through Counhty, State and Federal Representatives on numerous occasions since 2016. The community at large feels that the Department of Fish and Wildlife is more concerned about the continued population of wolves and other apex predators than the safety of the residents in these areas.
Based on the activities of the Harvey Pack, it has clearly becomes a threat to the safety of the general public and their livestock. California Fish and Game Code Section 4801 allows for local agencies responsible for public safety to remove or take any mountain lion perceived to be an imminent threat to public health or safety. While I am aware there is not a similar provision in the Fish and Game Code for other gray wolf, I believe it is time to explore the options provided by the Federal Government for the depredation of the wolf in the case it becomes a public safety threat. This was done in Southern Oregon recently with OR-158. In that situation, all other traditional means for hazing or deterring the animal were undertaken and were unsuccessful. Based on the reports of those who work and reside in the area, I believe the same situation exists in Lassen County.
I already reached out to those in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in an attempt to get this process started under Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations 17.21(c)(3)(iv) which states:
"Remove specimens that constitute a demonstrable but nonimmediate threat to human safety, provided that the taking is done in a humane manner; the taking may involve killing or injuring only if it has not been reasonably possible to eliminate such threat by live-capturing and releasing the specimen unharmed in an appropriate area."
Based on the factors I have described in this letter, I believe we have reached the threshold to meet this section. The members of the public have been advised that if they feel they are in imminent danger from a gray wolf to themselves or to other people, there is legal resource to defend themselves under the law. Under United States v. Wallen, while discussing the defense against a grizzly bear, the courts have upheld that the defense of others is a justifiable reason for the killing an endangered species. The situation in Lassen County has reached a boiling point, I am asking for your assistance in helping the citizens of Lassen County.
I want to thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to additional opportunities to discuss this with your office and other stakeholders in the hopes that a solution can be achieved that is beneficial to all concerned.
Sincerely, John McGarva, Sheriff-Coroner
Lassen County Sheriff's Office"
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