Wolves are protected, but who is protecting us?

[Lee Borgersen]

 opinion/editorial March 13, 2010  Ely Echo


Dear Editor,

On February 22 at approximately 9:30 a.m., my seven pound Yorkshire Terrier, Paige, was killed by a wolf which had jumped into her dog kennel. The kennel is attached to our house with entry directly from the house. Paige and my surviving dog, Theo, had been outside for not even ten minutes the morning of the attack.

Had the wolf been stalking them, hanging around waiting for a chance? Fresh wolf tracks continue to appear around the yard. How soon before it makes an attack on Theo?

We have contacted officials: The DNR has been notified, the Department of Agriculture has been notified, and the very supportive game warden even came out to take pictures.

Yet that wolf continues to roam around our neighborhood. Why?...They are protected. Now, rather than watch from the doorway, I must go into the dog kennel with Theo each time he needs to do his business; rain, snow or sleet.

The frightening part is that I am not sure it really matters that I am out there at all.

These wolves have no fear of humans. Our scent is scattered everywhere in and around that kennel. If my scent did not deter the wolf, is my presence going to stop that wolf from making a pet dinner yet again?

Who is to say that wolf won't see me as a more satisfying meal? And what about our boys? Are they going to be safe playing in the yard? Is it going to take the life of a person to show how dangerous these animals have truly become?

Fire fighters are trained to rescue pets from burning buildings. If fire fighters are willing to risk their lives to save family pets, why do wolves which kill pets continue to be pardoned? These wolves remain on the protected list which is making them less and less afraid of humans. Wolves are protected, but who is protecting us?

My sympathies go out to everyone who has lost (or may lose) a beloved pet to a wolf. Pets become a very close member of a family. Losing them so brutally is devastating.

Sincerely,

Melissa Hart

Ely
 

[MNBucKKiller]

eagles get dogs too... what should we do about that?

[Cody Gruchow]

the post above is just ignorant. lets compare numbers then. how many dogs do eagles get? maybe one every now and then. how many do wolves get? how many livestock do wolves kill? how many deer do wolves get? how many moose? like said in the post how long before they start grabbing little kids? elderly people? if there is no general fear of humans they will start going after humans as well.

[dakids]

There wasn't as much snow this year in some parts of the wolves range this year so the deer were able to get away easier from the wolves.  The wolves are getting hungry and less weary of us.  The dogs make easy pickings for wolves that are starving.  It is only a matter of time before they attack and kill a person in minnesota.  It has already happened in alaska. http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/mar/12/alaska-officials-say-woman-was-likely-killed-by/

It is sad to say but this is what its going to take before there is a season fore wolves in MN.  Some people will still probably say "Tough hop kid.  Get used to it"  or something along those lines. 

[thunderpout]

I think Cody's right with the wolves not having a fear of man, like they used to... They have their place in nature, like everything else, BUT, Why do they need to be protected to the point that we cant even protect ourselves/our property from them when we have so many in our state?  To be looking at big fines/jail time for just protecting ourselves and whats ours is just over the top.... The eagle comment is... well, like saying, what about the flying monkey's... come on man....