MEXICAN WOLF

Catron County Sheriff’s Department
Sheriff Shawn Ménages
P.O. Box 467
Reserve, N.M. 87830

Press Release

July 12, 2007

The Catron County Sheriff’s department is finalizing the investigation into the allegation that a USDA Wildlife Services Officer pointed a firearm at a New Mexico Game and Fish employee while in the field on July 5, 2007.

The incident now under investigation occurred after the USFWS issued a lethal take order July 3, 2007, on a Mexican Grey wolf. Three wildlife services officers were in the field on July 5, 2007, serving the lethal take order when Angela Dassow, a NMDGF employee, was instructed by a Supervisor to drive to the location and contact the three officers to stop the order.

According to Ms. Dassow’s statement she arrived to discover four unattended vehicles and left a hand written note on one of the windshields and drove away. Soon thereafter, Dassow returned and walked into the area to locate the three USDA Wildlife Services Officers. Upon making contact, she was informed that the order had been carried through without any knowledge of a change. According to Dassow one of the men retrieved a rifle and pointed it toward her and said she didn’t have a right to be there. When asked if she was in fear for her life, Dassow stated, “I did not think he would shoot me; since I was only there to deliver a message.” As of 4:30 p.m. Law Enforcement had not been contacted. It was then, approximately five hours after the alleged incident had occurred, that Deputy Snyder discovered an unattended car crashed into the right of way fence of state road 12 in Apache Creek. Nearly one hour later Snyder was contacted and told that the driver was Angela Dassow and that she was at her nearby residence. Snyder, along with an Arizona Game and Fish biologist arrived to find Ms. Dassow lying on the floor in her house. They learned that she had punched a window out of her residence to gain access since the key would not work. Consequently, she sustained cuts that caused her to be transported to an Arizona hospital for treatment. While awaiting the ambulance, Dassow said she was in her car and traveling out of town for a few days, when she decided to return for something that she had forgotten. Upon arriving to the turn-off, she was traveling too fast and crashed into the right of way fence. Dassow had to be reminded by the Arizona Game and Fish Officer to report the alleged aggravated assault to Deputy Snyder from earlier in the day.

During the alleged incident also present, in addition to the three Wildlife Services Officers, was Mike Miller, a Ranch employee. According to all four men, there was never a firearm handled around Dassow nor were there any threats made. Instead, they alleged that Dassow was out of control, was screaming at them, became very upset when she learned of the wolf being shot, and at one point stated "you killed my wolf.” They also stated Ms. Dassow took possession of the grey wolf and carried it towards her Department issued truck, stopping at one point under a tree and was crying while holding and petting the dead wolf. They stated she declined assistance from Wildlife Services to transport the wolf, placed it into her Department truck and left.

Once completed the case will be forwarded to the Seventh Judicial District Attorney’s office for review.