A coalition of Humane Societies is suing the State Department of Natural Resources to basically stop Wisconsin's upcoming wolf hunt.

A lawsuit filed yesterday in Madison claims the DNR has failed to develop rules to protect the safety of dogs used during the hunt.

The state's wolf hunt is scheduled to take place this fall.

A provision allows the hunting of wolves with dogs.

And it's this section of the wolf hunt rules, that has Humane Associations up in arms.

Liz Pirner of the Fox Valley Humane Association, says she's against the upcoming wolf hunt for one reason; a lack of regulations protecting dogs allowed to take part in the hunt.

Those concerns are outlined in this brief filed by a coalition of humane societies, alleging the DNR failed to include rules to prevent the deaths of hunting dogs during confrontations with wolves.

The brief cites a lack of on-leash requirements for dogs training or hunting wolves and no guidance on those breeds allowed to take part in the hunt.

The group alleges the state has "created a regulatory void that will facilitate unrestricted confrontations between dogs and wolves, certain to results in cruel and brutal fights to the death."

But Andy Pantzlaff of United Sportsmen of Wisconsin says safety for the dogs is not the motivation here. Says Pantzlaff, "It really has nothing to do with the dogs, it's to stop the wolf hunt, period."

Pantzlaff says sportmen often invest thousands of dollars in their hunting dogs.

The last thing they would do, is put their animals at risk.

He says those behind the lawsuit have identified a legal strategy, which they will now test in court.