| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 10:02:24 AM | Hi here is my scenario my property is backed up to the wild life refuge and last week I saw a light colored wolf full grown, standing in the woods on the edge of my property.
The wolf was looking at me but did not try to come near me I was standing on the back deck which is in the air about 12 feet. I usually don't go down the hill to the edge of the woods too often however I do have 3 dachshounds that get away once in awhile. They are usually on a leash because of the neighbors across the highway.
My question is this Am I safe do I need to call someone ? I usually am not bothered by dogs in fact they don't even bark at me but I do have the dogs and they have not been bothered so far. | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 10:22:13 AM | | I would suppose you are safe since wolves have such a large range of territiory. Since your dogs are usually leashed and there has not been a problem thus far (and likely will not be) just enjoy the sighting! | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 11:41:01 AM | | You may wish to look at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources web site. They have a lot of information on wolves. Due to their extreme predatorial nature, I would be most diligent about keeping you canine critters secure, and DO NOT approach the animal . | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 2:44:46 PM | | Wolves are thick here and we've only ever had ONE fatality confirmed involving wolves...... and that was with captive wolves in an enclosure. Wolves MIGHT pose a risk to small children playing unattended and pets or livestock. The risk is very very minimal. One thing to check on is the rabies situation in your area, as a rabid animal will not be at all predictable. | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 3:50:08 PM | | I'd say you're safe. Wolves are often curious and have been known to observe people. It may not have seen you if you were standing still but was curious about the dog. however if it does approach even knowing you're there you might want to contact your local Natural Resources office,or whatever it's called down there. | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 3:54:53 PM | i agree pretty much with all.. n think LOONYTUNZ is rite also... if the wolf got rabies or any wildlife for that.... they will be desperate and who knows wot action or path they may take....
Id call someone just to be on the safe side ... | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 5:38:53 PM | | Most wild dogs are afraid of human contact and will naturally shy away, its the ones that will get close to you that you have to worry about. Just keep an eye on him and keep your dogs away, you may also have a female in heat that attracted him. This is just advice, as there are different circumstances for every situation. | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 6:31:35 PM | | I don't think there is one documented case of a wild wolf attacking someone. Now, as far as your dogs go, that's different...wolves ARE territorial. Keep your dogs fenced in. A full grown male wolf will weigh somewhere around 150lbs. Plus, male wolves know how to fight & kill quick...they have to...it's in their lifestyle. | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 8:33:52 PM | | you should be safe from the wolves...........however.your dogs are nothing but food to a wolf.....or coyote...........you better keep them close | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/18/2009 10:55:09 PM | | I would say watch your dogs. Around here coyotes eat dogs and cats. I'd imagine a wolf would eat a dog, too especially small dogs. | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/19/2009 2:05:32 PM | Any large canine is potentially dangerous, over 300 people were killed by dogs
in the US between 1980 and 2000,which is why I always carry a heavy club,
and heavy duty dog spray when I go for a walk. You probably far more likely
to be seriouly injured by a dog or dogs that some cretin has loosed than you are
by a stray wolf. Still, if you have seen 1, then theres more lurking around. Dont go for
walks alone in that area. Remember , wolves are smarter than dogs, which is why they avoid humans, but if you are in the wrong place, at the wrong time, a pack of wolves
would make short work of you. | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/19/2009 2:58:53 PM | over 300 people were killed by dogs in the US between 1980 and 2000
OH MY GOD!!
WAIT, more than that died today in car accidents, thousands of children starved to death today, 10% of the population is left handed.....
You have a greater chance of being killed by lightning.
Did your mother tell you to stay away from stray or strange animals? If not, then just do it as you never know what the outcome may be. There is no need to be scared, especially if the animal can sense your fear which may actually cause it to go into hunt mode, just use your head. DONT run away, again, hunt mode may kick in and you cant outrun most animals.
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/19/2009 3:24:35 PM |
I don't think there is one documented case of a wild wolf attacking someone
Maybe in Florida, but wolves have been known to attack, and kill, humans.
As already pointed out, just give a call to your local animal services (Dept. of Fish & Game?) and tell them your info. They will suggest the best path forward for you. | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/19/2009 7:10:13 PM |
I don't think there is one documented case of a wild wolf attacking someone.
That's a kind of revisionist history. The criteria to qualify as an "official case" now are:
1) The wolf must have been killed, examined and proclaimed "healthy" - as in not rabid. (Does it really matter?)
2) The wolf must not ever have been kept in captivity at any time in life (which would include any that were treated for injuries, or raised as abandoned pups). I guess one wolf with no fear of humans can never teach another not to fear them?
3) There must have been eyewitnesses to the attack.
(It's extremely hard for a dead, half-eaten person to testify as a witness, except by forensic value.)
4) The person must die from the injuries. In other words, if you did not die, then you were never "attacked"...get it?
Barring the existence of any of the above elements, it's not an official wolf attack. Now how stupid is that? All other deaths or serious injuries caused by wolves apparently no longer exist -simply never happened - as they don't fit the official criteria. Regardless, here's the first documented case that apparently met these criteria, acknowledged by authorities as a wolf attack:
http://deathby1000papercuts.blogspot.com/2007/11/wolves-kill-canadian-man.html
It might be fun to place the officials who came up with these criteria into a cage filled with rabid wolves gathered from the wild, then walk away. Since the wolves are not "healthy", and since they are in a cage, they fail two of the criteria. Since there are no witnesses, it never happened. Whether or not they die from their injuries, from lack of treatment, or from turning rabid themselves after a time, really would be moot. When we come back to the cage a couple of weeks later, we will conclude that the officials simply died of natural causes, not from any wolf attack!
More non-documentation:
http://www.mtmultipleuse.org/endangered/wolf_pics.htm
Ridiculous official statement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
"For example, some people continue to carry
the unfounded fear that wolves attack people
or threaten outdoor activities. In fact, wolves
generally avoid humans. While wolves
certainly have the ability to kill people, there
has never been a verified report of a healthy
wild wolf deliberately attacking or seriously
injuring a human in North America."
http://yukondelta.fws.gov/pdf/graywolf.pdf | |
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| Wolf sighting
Posted: 5/19/2009 7:50:09 PM | Wolves are observant animals and will keep thier distance.
Like most Wild-Life, Wolves do not harm unless otherwise provoked/threatened, etc.
I would keep your pets and children in your sights at all times though. Better safe than sorry. | |
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