Colorado Wolves Kill Two Dogs

Wolves attacked two dogs in separate incidences in Colorado's North Park area, and both domestic canines died as a result.

Fox 31 reports the wolves killed a working ranch dog on March 13. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the wolves attacked a pet dog a day later and it had to be euthanized due to its injuries.

CPW officers have recently investigated two depredation events, which occurred within four miles of each other in the North Park area, CPW officer Travis Duncan told Steamboat Radio's Shannon Lukens.

Wildlife officers found wolf tracks in the vicinity and GPS collar data for both incidents that also indicated wolves were in the area during the time the dogs were attacked, Duncan said.

Greg Sykes, a foreman on a ranch in Jackson County, said Cisco was his registered working dog.

We are heartbroken about Cisco. We want the people of Colorado to know that if wolves are going to be in our backyard, we have to be able to defend our pets, livestock, and children if warranted, Donna, Greg Sykes' wife, told FOX31.

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Roy Gollobith owns the pet dog attacked by the wolves. He told FOX31 he's owned many dogs while living in North Park for 35 years, but wolves were never an issue until recently.

Some have been run over by vehicles or died of old age. They have stayed outside with a shop or some sort of building to protect them from weather, Gollobith said. Not until now have I had to worry about them and their safety from wolves.

CPW said it has collared wolves known in Jackson County that naturally migrated to the state and are not the result of wolf reintroduction efforts.

CPW provides compensation for livestock guard and herding dogs, but does not provide compensation for pets.

Payment for livestock guard or herding dogs is based on the actual value of the property at the time and place of loss. As written, the draft wolf compensation program would allow compensation for livestock guard or herding animals but not for pets not used for these purposes, Duncan told FOX31.

According to Duncan, $12,929.75 has been paid to date for wolf depredation of eight animals (mostly cattle).

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