UPDATED Friday, April 12, 2013 --- 10:51 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A group of humane societies has appealed a Dane County judge's ruling that wolf hunters can use dogs.

The humane societies filed a lawsuit last year alleging the state Department of Natural Resources failed to impose any real restrictions on wolf hunters using dogs when the agency set up the framework for the wolf season. The societies argued the lack of regulations would create deadly wolf-dog brawls in the woods.

Judge Peter Anderson issued a double-sided decision this past January that hunters can't train dogs on wolves in Wisconsin but they can use them to track down wolves during the season.

The societies filed their notice of appeal on Friday. DNR spokesman Bill Cosh didn't immediately return a message.

Copyright 2013. The Associated Press.

_______________________________________________

UPDATED Wednesday, August 29, 2012 --- 10:48 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Attorneys for the state Department of Natural Resources are telling a judge agency leaders felt the Legislature didn't give them the authority to place restrictions on using dogs to hunt wolves this fall.

A coalition of humane societies has filed a lawsuit challenging the wolf hunt. They allege the DNR failed to set up restrictions on the use of dogs, creating the potential for bloody wolf-dog fights in the woods.

Dane County Circuit Judge Peter C. Anderson held a hearing Wednesday to decide whether to issue an injunction blocking the hunt while he weighs the lawsuit. The judge began the hearing by asking Assistant Attorney General Cynthia Hirsch why the DNR didn't impose restrictions. Hirsch responded that the agency thinks the law creating the hunt doesn't call for protecting dogs.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

___________________________________________

Posted: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 --- 8:53p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A coalition is suing the Department of Natural Resources to try to stop Wisconsin's planned wolf hunt.

The Wisconsin State Journal (http://bit.ly/OQ7IIr) reports a group of humane societies filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Dane County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit claims the DNR failed to put in place regulations to prevent the inhumane deaths of hunting dogs in confrontations with wolves.

The five-month wolf hunt is scheduled to begin Oct. 15. It is the only such hunt in the nation in which hunters would be allowed to use dogs.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt the hunt until the DNR establishes reasonable restrictions on the use of dogs.

A DNR spokesman says the agency is disappointed to hear of the lawsuit but had not had a chance to review it.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.