Wolves
© Times Colonist / Parks Canada
Two dogs have been attacked by wolves in separate incidents near Tofino and Ucluelet.

Isabel Flood said she was walking on the beach with her two sons and her dog, Chester, near Wya Point Resort in Ucluelet on Tuesday about 7:30 p.m. when Chester was attacked by what appeared to be a large dog.

Chester, off-leash at the time, was immediately overpowered and whimpered for help.

"It was viciously biting my dog around its neck and the hind quarter," Flood said.

As she got closer, she realized the animal was a wolf. Flood yelled and the wolf began to drag Chester into the bush.


"These two people came running up behind me," Flood said. "They threw some things at the wolf and, finally, my dog was able to wriggle away."

With Chester's leg bleeding heavily, Flood feared he would die. She loaded the dog and her sons into a car and headed toward Nanaimo, where 24-hour veterinary service is offered.

The vet was able to stitch up the wound. Chester was in pain Thursday but recovering.

Flood said she hopes other dog owners take care or avoid bringing pets to the beach around Ucluelet.

On Thursday, meanwhile, a wolf attacked a leashed dog on Wickaninnish Beach in Tofino.

As a result, Pacific Rim National Park staff closed Wickaninnish Beach between the Kwisitis visitor centre and Combers Beach for 24 hours. The park also has banned all dogs from Long Beach and surrounding trails for a week.

"In recent weeks, several visitors have had encounters with wolves on Florencia Beach. Since at least one wolf seems to have lost its wariness of humans and is beginning to pose a risk to visitors, we are taking steps to haze the animal with noise and pain deterrents," Parks Canada said in a bulletin on its website.


Parks staff said people are advised to walk in groups, make plenty of noise and be alert. Dogs should be kept on leash at all times and small children should be kept nearby. Campers and picnickers should store food in vehicles or lockers.

Parks Canada advises anyone encountering a wolf to pick up small children, stand tall and look as large as you can. Back away slowly, maintaining eye contact. If the animal continues to approach, visitors should yell, throw stones or sticks, and use pepper spray or an air horn if they have one.

Source: Victoria Times Colonist