In a case brought by wildlife advocates, a Washington judge rules Sheriff Bob Songer’s ‘dangerous wildlife policy’ isn’t illegal
Death and destruction: Through a Freedom of Information Act request, Columbia Insight obtained this 2020 image of a “scalped” cougar killed by a deputized posse in Klickitat County. Hunters say the animal’s ears were sheared off to discourage trophy hunters. Photo from Klickitat County, Washington
By Chuck Thompson, September 1, 2021. Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer, who brought national attention to his rural Washington jurisdiction last year by assembling a posse to hunt cougars he deemed a threat to the community, scored a victory in court this week.
To the disappointment of wildlife advocates, a judge in Washington’s Benton County Superior Court ruled that Songer’s Dangerous Wildlife Policy and Procedures, which authorizes the hunts, is not illegal and can continue.
The story of what many considered an extralegal scheme to circumvent state regulations was first reported last year by Columbia Insight, then publicized in various national media outlets. The story became Columbia Insight’s most read story ever.
BEST OF COLUMBIA INSIGHT: 16 and counting: Inside a Washington community’s war on cougars
After news broke that Songer had amassed a posse of more than 120 people in Klickitat County, including hound hunters deputized to track and kill cougars, the California-based Mountain Lion Foundation petitioned Benton County Superior Court for a Peremptory Writ of Prohibition, an order that would have blocked further cougar hunts.
The Mountain Lion Foundation based its argument in part on a 1996 voter initiative that bans hunting cougars with hounds in Washington.
As reported by Northwest News Network, at a hearing last week attorney Adam Karp also argued Songer “doesn’t have the authority to manage cougars (with posse hunts) and therefore doesn’t have the authority to deputize hound handlers.”
Klickitat County attorney David Quesnel argued the killings are within Songer’s authority because sheriffs are allowed broad discretion in deciding how to enforce the law and ensure public safety.
According to court documents, Klickitat County has dispatched hound hunters on at least 63 occasions in the last two years. At least 19 cougars have been killed.
Winter kills: Two more cougars killed by deputized posse members in Klickitat County. Photo by Leininger/Klickitat County
Songer has steadfastly maintained he has a duty to protect livestock, pets and people from cougars.
Karp said the Mountain Lion Foundation could continue its lawsuit, which has one other legal claim seeking to end the cougar hunts, according to Northwest News Network. The group could also appeal the current decision to the state Supreme Court.
Chuck Thompson is editor of Columbia Insight.
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I hope this is not the last we hear of this! Sheriff Songer is wrong and my wish is to see this ruling overturned, Songer and his eager fellow hunters put in their place.
Wild animals only become a threat to people, livestock or pets when their habitats are destroyed, and they are forced to live in a smaller area.
Two of these were found under porches . Miles apart from one another . Different days. The deputy shot them because they were under a residence.
There is no shortage of cougars around Klickitat County.
They are cats. They breed very successfully.
Agreed.
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars.The survey respondents who agreed to be interviewed did recognize their power and longevity, but […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. Does your office oversee or provide any of the following services? Respondents could choose more […]
[…] a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars.The survey respondents who agreed to be interviewed did recognize their power and longevity, but […]
[…] a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars.The survey respondents who agreed to be interviewed did recognize their power and longevity, but […]
[…] Farris and Holman have found sheriffs are more likely to patrol rural areas and tend to have more duties in the West and South than the Northeast and Midwest. Many sheriffs’ offices are tiny, employing fewer than 25 sworn officers, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most sheriffs run jails and oversee deputies on patrol, but Farris and Holman have documented a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. […]
[…] a surprising range of other roles, from running summer camps to rescuing injured birds to hunting cougars. Does your office oversee or provide any of the following services? Respondents could choose more […]