COEUR d'ALENE - The woman who allegedly attacked and killed a falcon owned by a hunter in January has been identified by The Press as Patti Lee MacDonald of Hauser.

However, at this time charges are unknown because the case file has been sealed by a district court judge. According to the Kootenai County District Court Records Department, the file is expected to be unsealed once MacDonald, 60, is served with a criminal complaint and court summons.

On Jan. 7, MacDonald allegedly parked her red Jeep Wrangler near the sport where Scott Dinger's falcon, Hornet, was in the process of killing a duck the duo had successfully hunted. As Dinger, 50, approached the scene, he saw his falcon, clearly injured, flying away.

MacDonald allegedly asked Dinger if Hornet was his falcon and when he replied that is was, she allegedly told the falconer that she had beaten the bird. Dinger found Hornet dead approximately an hour later and said the bird suffered a fractured skull and broken leg.

"The defendant was given an opportunity to work with me outside of the courts but refused," Dinger wrote in an email to The Press. "I will now be reliant upon the system in doing its part to seek a satisfactory remedy for my loss."

The former law enforcement officer added that he is thankful for the support he has received from the falconry community and hopes their "collective voice" will ensure the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office "understands that more than just me, but all who obey the law, when wronged see complete and thorough justice."

"Second, I intend on making sure that this story will serve as a deterrence for anyone intent on preventing me or any other hunter, trapper, fisherman, and falconer from our right to pursue our passion," Dinger wrote.