No, the WOlves are not sport killing- It's competition
Wolves do kill pets, especially dogs. Pet owners in grief- or even dog lovers in general- naturally blame the wolves. When owners find their mangled canine companions, usually unconsumed, it's easy to think that wolves are sport killing the dogs. They aren't. Although this page talks specifically about hunting dogs, this rule applies for any dog attacked by a wolf.
Dogs and wolves are, obviously, related. A wolf sees a strange wolf as competition for resources, potential danger to puppies, and an intruder. They do not differentiate this threat between wolves and domestic dogs. An unknown wolf that wanders into the territory of another wolf pack has a good chance at being killed for these reasons. The same goes for our beloved pets.
This behavior is the same in other predators, not just wolves. Predators kill predators out of defense, territoriality, or to improve conditions for their offspring. A prime example of this behavior is in the Serengeti, in Tanzania. The Serengeti hosts the largest diversity of carnivores on the planet. Lions kill hyenas, grown and cubs. They view any hyena as a danger for their pride and as competition for prey. Hyenas will return the favor, killing lion cubs and even grown lions if enough hyenas gang up on one. Leopards will kill hyenas and their cubs. Hyenas will kill leopards and their cubs. Lions will kill leopards and their cubs. Leopards will kill lion cubs (if they could, they'd probably kill lions). On and on. This isn't for fun. After all, killing anything - food or not- is dangerous. Even an injury can be deadly in the end.
When wolves kill dogs, they're not doing it for fun. They're killing for survival.
Dogs and wolves are, obviously, related. A wolf sees a strange wolf as competition for resources, potential danger to puppies, and an intruder. They do not differentiate this threat between wolves and domestic dogs. An unknown wolf that wanders into the territory of another wolf pack has a good chance at being killed for these reasons. The same goes for our beloved pets.
This behavior is the same in other predators, not just wolves. Predators kill predators out of defense, territoriality, or to improve conditions for their offspring. A prime example of this behavior is in the Serengeti, in Tanzania. The Serengeti hosts the largest diversity of carnivores on the planet. Lions kill hyenas, grown and cubs. They view any hyena as a danger for their pride and as competition for prey. Hyenas will return the favor, killing lion cubs and even grown lions if enough hyenas gang up on one. Leopards will kill hyenas and their cubs. Hyenas will kill leopards and their cubs. Lions will kill leopards and their cubs. Leopards will kill lion cubs (if they could, they'd probably kill lions). On and on. This isn't for fun. After all, killing anything - food or not- is dangerous. Even an injury can be deadly in the end.
When wolves kill dogs, they're not doing it for fun. They're killing for survival.
When wolves kill hunting dogs, blame the hunter
The most common hunting dogs that get killed by wolves are bear chasers. What's bear chasing? It's when radio-collared dogs, usually hounds, are turned loose on a bear, chasing it to exhaustion or up a tree. If the bear escapes in a tree, the hounds howl and bark until the hunter catches up to shoot it. Sometimes, the bear fights the hounds, resulting in violence for all. Bear chasing leaves many <1 year old bear cubs orphaned; bears that survive are given a huge dose of stress that often means they do not survive hibernation in the winter. Not only is this a cowardly way of hunting- there's no "fair chase" whatsoever when it comes to man and bear- but it's extremely dangerous for the hounds.
Bear-chasing dogs are often set loose in wolf territory. Wolves don't tolerate strangers, but much, much less likely to attack dogs that have a human accompanying them. However, hounds that have been turned loose, either in training for bear chasing or in the act of the chase, are much more likely to be attacked by wolves. Hunters rarely check to see if they're in a wolf territory, or near a den or rendezvous site. When wolves have pups, they are even more territorial than usual, and are much more likely to attack a perceived threat. This territoriality spikes between March and August, which also coincides with when chasing hounds are being trained or are starting to look for hounds.
Birding dogs, which are much more likely to stay with their owners, don't get attacked by wolves as often. Neither do leashed hunting dogs. See below for tips regarding keeping hunting dogs safe.
Bear-chasing dogs are often set loose in wolf territory. Wolves don't tolerate strangers, but much, much less likely to attack dogs that have a human accompanying them. However, hounds that have been turned loose, either in training for bear chasing or in the act of the chase, are much more likely to be attacked by wolves. Hunters rarely check to see if they're in a wolf territory, or near a den or rendezvous site. When wolves have pups, they are even more territorial than usual, and are much more likely to attack a perceived threat. This territoriality spikes between March and August, which also coincides with when chasing hounds are being trained or are starting to look for hounds.
Birding dogs, which are much more likely to stay with their owners, don't get attacked by wolves as often. Neither do leashed hunting dogs. See below for tips regarding keeping hunting dogs safe.
If you go into the woods, you are in someone else's backyard
Like it or not, wolves live in the woods once again in the West. When you go out hunting or checking your trap line, knowingly or not, you might be walking into wolf territory. You might be nearing a den and so might your dog. I've said multiple times that I am not antihunter. But I'm sorry- if you really care about your hound, don't let them run around unleashed when there's wolves around, all for the sake of a hunt. You're being an idiot and putting your pet in danger. It's not the wolves' fault for behaving naturally, defensively, when your dog wanders near them or their puppies. It's yours.
How to know if wolves are in your area:
Here's some signs of wolves in your area (also courtesy of IDFW): Scat: Wolf droppings, or scat, are generally 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter with tapered ends. Coyote scat typically is less than 1 inch in diameter. Wolf scat usually contains elk and deer hair, as well as shards of bones. Wolf "meat scats," typically deposited after a fresh kill, are loose and tar-like. Travel and tracks: Wolf tracks are generally larger than dog tracks, usually 3 1/2 to 4 inches wide by 4 to 5 inches long and with distinct claw marks. Wolves usually travel in a more "business like" straight line, while dogs meander back and forth. The distance between one set of wolf tracks and the next is usually greater than 26 inches and often more than 30. Wolves typically have narrow chests, and their tracks appear almost in a straight line. A pack of wolves traveling together in snow often walk directly in each others tracks so that there appears to be only one animal. Wolves & Dogs: Safety TipsHunting with dogs is outdated, immoral, and completely cowardly considering the dogs do all the work and are put in the most danger, not to mention they're abandoned by the thousands when they're too old or don't perform well. But for the sake of the dogs, here's some tips for how to prevent wolf attacks on hunting dogs, courtesy of Idaho Fish and Wildlife:
Here's some tips for dogs in general.
Remember that if a wolf attacks your dog, do not physically intervene. Wolves rarely attack people, but when you get involved with a fight, they're likely to turn on you too. Make noise, scream, wave your arms. Don't throw anything at the wolf. Read more here and here. And keep your damn dog on a leash. Header image: Spitfire, a famous Yellowstone wolf and daughter of the "most famous wolf in the world", 06. Both 06 and Spitfire were killed by trophy hunters. Photo credit: Vanessa Vought
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