Anti-Wolf Activist Allegedly Assaults Pro-Wolf Activist

By Jill Kuraitis, 3-27-08

An Idaho anti-wolf activist was arrested and has been charged with assault and battery on a wolf advocate, according to reporter Matt Christiansen of the Twin Falls Times-News.
Ron Gillette, head of the Anti-wolf Coalition, allegedly “violently shook” Lynne Stone, director of the Boulder White Clouds Council, an environmental group based near Sun Valley.

Stone later told police that Gillett shouted, “If you were a man, I’d beat the crap out of you,” as he was leaving the scene of the assault. She cut her hand as Gillett tried to get her camera, according to the police report.

Christiansen wrote:

“Both are widely known figures in the debate over removing Rocky Mountain wolves from the federal endangered species list, a policy that is expected to become official on Friday.

The pair - and the respective groups they represent - have had increasingly heated public confrontations in the past two years. According to police records, Stone was taking a walk in Stanley on Tuesday morning when Gillett approached her in his truck. An argument ensued, during which Stone took photographs of Gillett.

Gillett got out of the truck, grabbed Stone by the throat and violently shook her, according to a police affidavit.”

Gillett pleaded not guilty in Custer County Court a few hours after the incident.