Outrage arose after a woman boasted online about killing a wolf in Montana, only to discover it was a domestic dog. According to Aaron Bolton of Montana Public Radio, the incident is drawing attention to the state’s wolf hunting regulations.
Amber Rose Barnes, 36, proudly posted about the death on Facebook and included gruesome images of the dead husky, which she initially believed to be a wolf pup. Thousands of people expressed their outrage. Some demanded the cancellation of her hunting license.
Her post read: “So this morning I set out for a solo predator hunt for a fall black bear. However, I got the opportunity to take another predator wolf pup,” she wrote. “2022 was a great feeling to text my man and say I just smoked a wolf pup.”
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office verified in a statement that the animal Barnes murdered was one of 11 husky and shepherd crossbreeds that had been abandoned in nearby Doris Creek’s forested area.
“The parties were able to pick up 11 dogs which were turned over to Animal Control and taken to the animal shelter. Animal Control later located several other dogs in the Doris Creek area which were also taken to the animal shelter. Several of the dogs have tested positive for parvovirus and are currently being evaluated. We are looking to identify the person or persons who left the dogs in the area of Doris Creek,” the sheriff’s office said.
“During this investigation, we were advised through Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks that one of the dogs may have been shot. The person who is believed to have shot the dog has been identified. The case is under investigation.”
Barnes defended herself despite the criticism she received in public. “Yes I made a mistake because I did think it was a hybrid wolf pup … yes I would still have shot it because it was aggressive and coming directly for me!”
So far, no charges have been filed.
