The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a new rule today that would make it easier for a state to kill wolves reducing game populations or attacking dogs. The new rule, published today in the Federal Register, also sets a new round of hearings in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming on the proposal to remove wolves from the protection of the Endangered Species List. The new rule includes Wyoming’s wolf management plan approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in May. The previous rule, put in place in 2006 at the request of then-Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, only allowed wolves to be killed when they were the primary cause of game populations such as elk from meeting their goals. The new rule allows killing if wolves are only one of the causes. The new rule also allows dog- or horse-owners to kill wolves if they are in the act of attacking their animals. Previously wolves couldn’t be killed for attacking stock or dogs. An open house to comment on the rules will be from 6 to 7 p.m. July 19 at the Boise Convention Center on The Grove. A public hearing will follow from 7 to 9 p.m.