Wolves Kill Hunting Dogs Released Into Harm's Way

Saturday, September 6, 2014

I'd noted here recently that the number of hunting dogs killed by wolves is rising this year, and now there is a long piece posted elsewhere from the hunters' perspective about fresh losses of hunting dogs killed by wolves, too.

Wolves blamed for 13 dogs deaths in state

But "blamed" is an odd word to lay on the wolves, as if they went out to slaughter dogs.

Myths surround wolves, like anthropormophising them with intent.

Or blaming them for a state deer herd deemed too small by some hunters; the DNR has knocked down that myth, too.

Hounding hunters choose to let their dogs run into harm's way where known wolf activity has taken place - - in other words, into territory protected by the larger, stronger wolves, even when training dog in preparation for bear hunting through territory where bear bait left by hunters can attract wolves. 

The wolves, sacred to the Ojibwe people, were here before European settlers arrived into what is now known as Wisconsin.

And there will be more dogs killed or injured in confrontations with wolves because the Wisconsin wolf hunt law rush to passage through a weak legislature by special-interests now allows hunters to let their dogs loose to 'train' against wolves year-round - - right through mating and breeding seasons - - as well as during the closing weeks of the wolf hunting season after the deer hunters have cleared out.

What do you think wolves will do when the dogs come running through their dens, and there are pups or mates to be protected along with wolf pack territory?

It baffles me that hunters risk their dogs' lives for what sport and trophy bear and wolf hunting, not for food and sustenance. In the face of Ojibwe cultural traditions and beliefs.

And then complain that the only-in-Wisconsin public reimbursement program for wolf-killed dogs up to $2,500 per dog isn't adequate compensation.

But back to the rest of the life-and-death basics:

Are the risks and the consequences in their totality really worth it - - for the dogs and he hunters, not to mention the harassed, hunted, trapped and shot wolves and bears? None of these animals, wild and domestic, have a say in the matter.

What's the message about stewardship and respect for living things and our alleged opposition to cruelty to animals being sent to the rest of the state population, to hikers, tourists or new residents and businesses in the more rural areas of the state?

To city folk interested in a walk in the Wisconsin woods?

Why show them this bloody, life-is-cheap (wolf kill permits have been halved by Walker's second budget tp just $49) face put up by politicians at the behest of hunting and gun lobbies - - one legislator being so giddy at the thought of hunting wolves that he said he could imagine them "marinating" - - to serve a very small portion of the population?

source