Prosecutor reviewing falcon attack case

COEUR d'ALENE - A Kootenai County prosecutor is reviewing the case against a woman suspected of attacking and killing a falcon owned by a Hauser hunter.

Prosecutor Barry McHugh told The Press Friday that investigative materials compiled by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game were forwarded to his office at the end of the week. After reviewing the material, the attorney assigned to the case will determine if further investigation into the Jan. 7 incident is needed.

McHugh said he could not release the name of the woman or cite the potential charges his office could file against her.

According to Scott Dinger, the woman left her red Jeep Wrangler near where his falcon, Hornet, was in the process of killing a duck successfully hunted by the duo.

As he was approaching the scene, the former law enforcement officer said he saw his clearly injured falcon flying away. Dinger, 50, said he immediately identified himself to the woman as a falconer who had just lawfully obtained the duck over which she was standing.

The woman then asked Dinger if Hornet was his falcon and when he replied it was, she allegedly told the falconer that she had beaten the bird.

He found Hornet dead approximately an hour later and said the bird suffered a fractured skull and broken leg.

Dinger has practiced falconry in the area for eight years and is nationally certified in the sport.