Incidents of wolves approaching homes and killing dogs raise concerns in Cook County
Sightings of wolves traveling through the Superior National Forest and roaming the Arrowhead region are a relatively common occurrence for many Cook County residents and visitors.
In recent months, however, some sightings and incidents in Cook County have involved wolves approaching people’s homes and attacking and killing dogs.
In early January, Karren Preus Perkins posted on the Gunflint Trail Nature and Notes Facebook page that her dog Romeo, a Bernese Mountain Dog, was killed in her backyard, less than 50 feet from the back door, at approximately 10:30 a.m. Perkins resides on the south side of Gunflint Lake, east of Heston’s Lodge along Mile o’ Pine.
In her post, she said, “My husband heard noises in the backyard this morning and went out to see what was going on.” Perkins and her husband witnessed a solo wolf walking down their driveway toward the house. The wolf then attacked and killed her dog, Romeo, who was near the back door of the house.
“What happened to my dog was within view of my kitchen window,” Perkins told WTIP following the incident. “What happened to my dog was brutal.”
According to reports from nearby neighbors, Perkins said a pack of wolves had been recently spotted in the area. “People have been spotting packs of wolves in this area for days. These wolves are coming right to people’s doors and garages.”
Perkins said she advises other pet owners to use extra caution while an owner’s dog is outside or on a leash. “You’re talking to a woman who always loved wolves, but now I am in great fear of them. If you saw my dog, you would be too. These wolves are becoming more brazen.”
Two similar incidents occurred in December.
WTIP was made aware of a large breed dog killed near its home by a pack of wolves near Pike Lake, west of Grand Marais.
A third dog, a large Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, was killed in late December towards the end of the Gunflint Trail on Onagon Lake. However, the owner, who lives in the area, suspects the dog was killed by a lynx or mountain lion rather than wolves, based on puncture wounds and hearing a “series of very loud large cat noises.”
On Nov. 17, 2023, the Ely Echo reported that three wolves attacked a dog along the Cloquet Line. The dog survived the attack and walked away with bite marks and a few minor injuries.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) states that wolves generally rely on white-tailed deer and moose but are habitat generalists and can live anywhere with sufficient prey. When it comes to keeping pets safe in wolf country, the DNR recommends keeping pets on a leash or under verbal control when walking or recreating outdoors and not leaving dogs unattended in yards or allowing them to range freely.
To report any unusual wildlife encounters, contact a local conservation officer or the Minnesota DNR Two Harbors office at 218-834-1453 and twoharbors.wildlife@state.mn.us.
Kalli Hawkins January 15, 2024
