Catron County considers wolf ordinance

Federal biologists responsible for reintroducing the endangered Mexican gray wolf in New Mexico and Arizona can decide when and how to trap or eliminate the animals if they become troublesome. But Catron County commissioners are considering an ordinance that would let them in on the decision making, according to a copyright story in Friday's Albuquerque Journal. Catron County Manager Bill Aymar said a growing number of incidents in which wolves have killed pets or livestock and menaced residents has led commissioners to think about taking action. "If you're flying an airplane and your helmet is on fire, you're going to deal with it," he said. "And we are having experiences day to day with wolves being close." County Attorney Ron Shortes said he has received six drafts of the ordinance from the county's consultant on natural resource management. In general, the measure would allow the commission to issue an order to remove from the county or kill a problem wolf. Shortes said he's trying to determine whether such a measure has solid legal footing. Aymar said the commission would hold a public hearing before taking action on the ordinance. Last February, the commission declared that an economic and agricultural state of emergency existed because of the presence and depredations of the wolves....