Wolf attack on dog being walked off leash prompts MNRF to issues wolf awareness message for Sioux Lookout area

Tim Brody - Editor

A tragic interaction between a wolf and a dog being walk off leash in late February in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout has the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) reminding area residents to be aware of wolves in the Sioux Lookout area and encourages people to take steps to avoid attracting wolves into local neighborhoods or interactions with pets.
In a written statement, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry shared, “A local resident reported to MNRF on February 25th that while walking their dogs off leash on Saturday, February 24th on a rural trail east of the town of Sioux Lookout, within the Sioux Lookout Municipality, an incident occurred. Their dogs encountered a wolf and the resulting interaction resulted in the death of the one dog, the event occurred 
very quickly.”
This incident prompted the MNRF to reach out to the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, who posted a wolf awareness messages from the MNRF on their website.
“The MNRF Sioux Lookout office received information about the incident and the ministry then shared the wildlife interaction information with the municipality of Sioux Lookout in an effort to remind local residents that wolves are a naturally occurring part of the area,” the MNRF informed, adding, “Wolf human/pet interactions are extremely rare, generally wolves avoid developed areas within the municipality. Large parts of the municipality and the surrounding land base is undeveloped crown land which supports diverse and healthy wildlife populations, it is always safest to keep your pet supervised and contained to avoid negative interactions with wildlife.”
Below is the full wolf awareness message from the MNRF, posted on the Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s website on Feb. 28:

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry would like remind area residents to be aware of wolves in the Sioux Lookout area and take the necessary steps to avoid attracting wolves into local neighbourhoods or interactions with your pets.   
It’s important to note that the same wolf can result in multiple sightings. The Ontario government is reminding the public that wolves are attracted to garbage products containing meat, milk, and eggs. Removing these attractants can help keep wolves out of the area. 
To help prevent attracting wolves to your property:

• Do not feed wildlife such as deer (by removing deer food and salt blocks).
  
• Keep pet food indoors.  
  
• Remove bush and forest cover that can help conceal predators like wolves from all active pastures.  
  
• Ensure you have a well-lit yard or use motion-sensitive lighting.  
  

Cats and small dogs may be seen as prey by wolves, while larger dogs may be seen as competitors. To avoid these situations, consider the following suggestions:

• Feed pets indoors.
  
• Do not allow pets to roam. Wolves may try to kill a dog or a cat when given the opportunity.
  
• Walk your dog on a leash at all times.
  
• Do not leave pets unattended outside unless they are in a kennel with a secure top. Wolves can jump into fenced yards, and dogs confined by chains are vulnerable to attack.
  
• Spay or neuter your dogs. Wolves are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.
  

QUICK FACTS
If a wolf poses an immediate threat to public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, call 911.

LEARN MORE
https://www.ontario.ca/page/preventing-and-managing-conflicts-coyotes   
https://files.ontario.ca/mnrf-best-practices-guide-coyote-human-interactions-en-2022-10-07.pdf 
To learn more about wolves, including how to deal with wolf problems, call the ministry’s district office that serves your area: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-natural-resources-andforestry-regional-and-district-offices