“Wolf watch” announced; Howling For Wolves constituent emails blocked by House of Representatives system

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2014

CONTACT:
Dr. Maureen Hackett, Howling For Wolves, 612.250.5915 or
Leslie Rosedahl, LWRosedahl@locklaw.com, 651.353.1818

“Wolf watch” announced; Howling For Wolves constituent emails blocked by House of Representatives system

(St. Paul, Minn) – Minnesota-based advocacy organization Howling For Wolves announces it will hold “wolf watch” daily assemblies at the start of each upcoming legislative session at the Minnesota Capitol outside the House and Senate chambers. Wolf advocates are deeply concerned that their communications were blocked by the House of Representative email system and want to make sure legislators know that suspending the wolf hunt is a legislative priority, as is ending the cruel methods of baiting, snaring and trapping.

Constituents who sent emails through the Howling For Wolves website urging suspension of the wolf hunt to legislators were intentionally blocked by the Minnesota House of Representatives’ email system, at least since last summer. The emails have since been re-sent to the intended state representatives. But because lawmakers did not get these numerous communications from their own constituents, the momentum for the wolf was damaged.

“Thousands of Minnesotans who signed our online petition had their constituent email communications to their legislators intentionally blocked by the House of Representatives’ system. This is a serious concern and begs the question of what happened, especially since this situation involves tens of thousands of emails since at least last summer. This is a clear instance of how the political process has been manipulated. Most Minnesotans don’t want a recreational wolf hunt and the vast majority are strongly opposed to snaring, trapping and baiting wolves,” said President and Founder of Howling for Wolves Dr. Maureen Hackett.

To express how unpopular the wolf hunt is, Howling For Wolves will begin “wolf watch” sessions outside of both chambers at the beginning of session each day to increase pressure to protect the wolf. Volunteers will be present to explain why they support suspension of the wolf hunt. The first “wolf watch” session will be tonight, Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30 PM  for the State of the State Address and will continue until the end of session or until a successful vote is held to suspend the hunt.

“We’re coming down to the Capitol every day for ‘wolf watch’ to show support for the wolf and to make protecting the wolf a priority this legislative session. Howling For Wolves advocates for a suspension of the wolf hunt, but we know that the state’s politicians may be more willing to pass laws that hold the DNR accountable with better data and to eliminate the indiscriminate methods of the wolf hunt like baiting, snaring, and trapping,” said Hackett.

The bills supported by Howling For Wolves, including Senate File 2256 (the Wolf Data Bill”), did not make it past the internal legislative committee deadlines but amendments regarding the wolf hunt may be made on other bills heard on the House or Senate Floor. Howling For Wolves expects there will be amendments on the floor of the House and/or Senate help keep pressure on the legislature to support the wolf.

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Howling For Wolves (HFW) is a wolf advocacy organization that aims to educate the public and policy-makers about wolves to foster understanding and tolerance, and to ensure their long-term survival in Minnesota. HFW seeks innovative non-lethal solutions for conflict prevention and coexistence where wolves are perceived to be a threat. We oppose the random killing of non-problem wolves for sport and the cruel methods utilized. HFW current efforts focus on the Minnesota’s gray wolves, which is the largest and only original wolf population remaining in the lower 48 states. www.HowlingForWolves.org.