MADISON, Wis. (AP/WRN) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by animal welfare advocates seeking to invalidate Wisconsin’s new wolf management plan.
Dane County Circuit Judge Stephen Ehlke threw out the case on Monday. The lawsuit accused Wisconsin wildlife officials of violating the state’s open meetings law and disregarding comments from wolf researchers and supporters.
The lawsuit was filed by the Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, also known as Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife. The group claimed board members improperly met with other advocacy groups outside of board meetings, even if no quorum was ever together at once.
Judge Stephen Ehlke rejected the claim, saying that ruling in favor of the Alliance would invalidate most proceedings of any government committee if members couldn’t get information on their own.
Ehlke ruled from the bench, granting a motion to dismiss filed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and its board. The group could file an appeal.