SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – The state of Washington has recently killed three members of a wolf pack that are repeatedly preying on cattle in Ferry County.

The agency said Tuesday that since Aug. 6 it has killed one adult and two juvenile members of the OPT pack in the Kettle River Range.

This is the fourth time the Department of Fish and Wildlife has authorized lethal removal of members of the pack in order to change its behavior.

The Center for Biological Diversity, a conservation group, killed the killings tragic and sickening.

The OPT pack has been involved in numerous livestock depredations in Ferry County in recent weeks. The state’s hunting of gray wolves from the pack continues.