For the second time this summer, an innocent dog was viciously attacked by a ravenous wolf, this time in Harrie Lake Trail Court.
Toby, a 15-month-old black Labrador retriever, died short after the attack that evening because of the severe inuries.
Lori Gardiner, owner of the beloved dog rescued from the SPCA, said her husband Thomas, was too shaken up to speak about the incident that occurred last Monday morning.
According to Chuck Porter, conservation officer with the Department of Natural Resources, the dog’s flesh was punctured by teeth marks around the neck and stomach.
He said a call was initially made to the RNC in the early hours of the morning by someone who heard the dog yelp and saw a wolf down the road. Subsequently, he added, a phone call came in to the RNC from the dog’s owner.
Conservation officers responded immediately to the area, he said, and spotted a wolf (about 60 pounds) with white and grey fur, which they intercepted from getting back into town, but weren’t able to catch.
“This appears to be a new animal,” said Porter. “In efforts to capture that particular wolf that took the dog in Wabush, we realized there were multiple wolves in the area. We identified the ones that tried to intercept the town boundaries, and anytime a wolf tries consistently enter town boundaries, we have to make a decision to put it down.”
He said they captured and euthanized the wolf who attacked the dog in Wabush and another one, and have intercepted three more.
Wolves can be found on the outskirts of town in the early hours of the morning or late at night, said Porter, when they can go undetected.
His advised people should restrict their animals’ movements when outside and never let them wander at night. He added animals are most vulnerable next to trees.
As for people, he encouraged them to walk in the middle of town, to back away slowly if they encounter a wolf, and to report the animal.
“(The wolf) actually attacked the dog, so the animal is not just roaming, it’s an animal that’s in town to obviously cause malicious intent on dogs and cats,” said Porter.
“This appears to be a new animal,” said Porter. “In efforts to capture that particular wolf that took the dog in Wabush, we realized there were multiple wolves in the area. We identified the ones that tried to intercept the town boundaries, and anytime a wolf tries consistently enter town boundaries, we have to make a decision to put it down.” - Chuck Porter, Conservation Officer
“This is actually typical behavior,” he concluded. “The wolf is a wild animal and he in turn preys on wild animals – this case is no different. The wolves have been attracted to town through other food sources and they find out they can pick up a dog or a cat, and it’s easy prey because most of those animals are pretty tame.”
“Surprisingly enough, whether it’s a bear or a fox or a wolf, an animal can become domesticated quite easily,” he explained. “It comes to the town boundary and gets used to the noises, sounds, vehicles, lights, and hustle and bustle. It’s just one of those years when there’s more wolves around and penetrating the town boundaries.”
He said every wolf he’s seen has shied away from human presence and none of them have showed any indication of having rabies.
“This animal does not appear to pose any threat to human beings – it’s simply looking for a domestic animal – the chances are almost nil that they would attack a child,” said Porter.
“People have a storybook image in their mind of the big bad wolf – nothing could be further from the truth,” he added. “The wolf is not a savage creature at all, he’s just existing in nature as any other wild animal.”
He said conservation officers will be on the lookout every night for the wolf and urges people to report any sightings.
Like wolves, bears are animals that people should be wary of, especially berry-pickers who are around their natural food source.
“The bears are there the same reason people are there – for the berries – they’re not out to stalk a human being,” he noted.
Last year, he said, conservation officers trapped and relocated 12 black bears.
If berry-pickers encounter one of these animals, he advised they should stay clam, increase distance between themselves and the animal, and leave the area.
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This article points out the disparity with which Bears and Wolves are perceived and treated. Problem Bears that appear to be a threat are relocated (12 so far this year). Wolves that are perceived to be a threat are killed (5 so far because according to RNC- "they have to be put down"). WHY??? As I said before Bears pose a MUCH greater threat to man and other animals than Bears do. Look at the statistics folks! Bears kill more people and pets every year than Wolves do. Ignorance and prejudice is what drove these animals to the brink of extinction over much of their historic range in the past. We should give equal consideration to all predators and treat all of them humanely and with some respect!