Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Front Page News Today

Wolves Attack

A local family has nothing to do but sit idly by and hope their family pet pulls through.


The Parcey family's collie-shepherd cross, Missy, has become the most recent victim of a wolf attack on Jaguar Road.

Late Monday night, Monica Parcey looked outside to see a pack of wolves dragging her 11-year-old dog into a field.

Calling out to her husband, Bob, Monica said most of the wolves did nothing but simply stare back at her, while her husband ran outside shouting.

"There were at least 10 of them that I saw," Monica told The Daily Press, adding that Missy was a regular outside dog, weighing about 85 pounds.

"She's always outside, and if there's anything around she usually barks and lets us know."

But Missy didn't bark when the wolves approached her, making Monica think that an east-blowing wind prevented the dog from smelling or hearing them.

"She didn't have a chance," Monica said. "I saw something on the ground and knew it was her."

Bob was quickly out the door and ran to the garage, where he screamed at the remaining wolves before finally the largest of the pack let go of Missy and turned away.

Missy somehow managed to pick herself up and walk to the garage, where Bob was waiting. Missy was rushed to the Timmins Animal Hospital.

"She's been very heavily sedated, because there are so many open wounds" said Monica, who said she hasn't seen the dog since it was brought in.



"She fought back. She's a pretty tough girl."

Bob said the wolves had managed to rip open the side of Missy, exposing her ribs, and there was puncture wounds throughout her body.

He said Dr. Ed Butterworth seems to think Missy will be OK, but is worried about possible internal bleeding.

Because her thick winter coat acted as a barrier, Monica said a lot of the wounds could have been worse.

The Parceys aren't the first family to feel the wrath of local wolves. Three families on the same road reported three dogs had been killed by wolves earlier this year.

At the time, Ministry of Natural Resources enforcement supervisor Jim Abbott said it was only assumed it had been wolves, and residents should always have their animals and livestock under their direct control.

Abbott said he had put the families in touch with a trapper, who would work with them to resolve the problem.

But Bob Parcey said he knows for sure it was wolves that dragged Missy off into the field.

"I seen them with my own eyes," he said.

He added that he has seen the animals in the area before, but never in his backyard.

"She has been in the bush all her life, and Missy never backed down from anything," he said.

The Parcey's second dog, a younger retriever was left alone by the wolves, making Bob believe they went for the older, weaker of the two.

The Parceys say they always keep their house well lit at night with lights on the house, garage and in the backyard, and thought it would keep the wolves away.

But Monica said there was no fear in the wolves on Monday night.

"Those wolves were not running away from me, and that worries me," said Bob. "I want people to know the real danger that's out there for their dogs and most importantly, their kids."

When questioned about the Parcey's situation, MNR representatives said they were unable to provide comment at this time.

4 comments:

Bob said...

If that's your area, keep a close eye on Wiz. He would be a snack for a wolf.
It's friggin' scary.

Ma Horton said...

It is my area ...and the dog in question was large !!

Bob said...

Doh! I shoulda said that a wolf would consider Wiz to be a Timbit.

Anonymous said...

That story gave me goosebumps... poor dog! please keep us posted on how it is doing.
Thanks...