SUDBURY -- North Bay police received a call on Friday morning from a concerned citizen regarding what they believed was an attack on their family dog by a wolf.

The residence is located in an isolated area on the north end of the city.

Police say that we do live in northern Ontario and that we are susceptible to visits from animals that find this area their home.

They say wolves are shy of human contact, although human-wolf contact can occur through the predation of livestock or pets. It is largely avoidable using standard precautions, for example:

  • Do not intentionally or unintentionally feed wolves (or other wildlife) as it attracts them to your property, makes them less fearful of humans and makes them accustomed to food provided by humans.
  • Properly store and maintain garbage containers. Put garbage at curbside the morning of the scheduled pickup rather than the night before.
  • Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles as wolves are attracted to products containing meat, milk and eggs.
  • Remove any deer food and salt blocks from outdoor areas on your property.
  • Keep pet food indoors.
  • Well-lit yards or the use of motion sensor lighting may make your property less attractive to wolves and other nocturnal wildlife.

Other suggestions if you encounter a coyote, wolf or fox can be found on the Ontario.ca website at http://www.ontario.ca/page/preventing-and-managing-conflicts-coyotes-wolves-and-foxes