“This is family”: Wolves attack dogs

North Park rancher Greg Sykes said he has tried to do things the right way since wolves migrated across the state line from Wyoming into the area near Walden.

He has kept an eye on the predators: They could be seen in the distance around the ranch he manages. And he got guardian dogs to watch over his cattle.

“I was that one rancher that said, ‘ OK, they’re here. Let’s figure out how to get along,’ ” Sykes said. “That’s what I intended to do.”

Early Monday, wolves killed one of his cattle dogs named Cisco, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Wildlife officials observed wolf tracks near the dog, which Sykes estimates was within about 30 yards of his house. Parks and Wildlife also has GPS tracking collar data showing wolves in the area when Sykes’ dog was killed.

A day later, wolves attacked another dog nearby, this time a family pet. Although the dog survived the attack initially, it needed to be put down because of its wounds, according to Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Travis Duncan.

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

Parks and Wildlife provides compensation for livestock guardian dogs killed by wolves but not for animals considered pets.

Sykes said the attack on his dog happened about 4 a.m. Monday, shortly after he let the dogs out in the morning. When he went to call them to eat, two dogs that typically respond the best did not return.

Some of his larger guardian dogs had showed up at the house, which Sykes said was unusual. Two more ran right into the house when he called.

He then noticed a black figure against the snow. “It was my dog,” Sykes said. “When I got out there, the second dog that I was looking for was laying with him … wouldn’t leave his side.”

Sykes said he immediately called Parks and Wildlife, and local officers responded quickly. They were “good to work with” in what was a traumatic situation.

The wolves have been causing issues in North Park since December 2021, when a 500-pound heifer was killed and eaten by the pack that is believed to be Colorado’s first breeding pair in decades. Since then, other dogs and cattle have been attacked by the pack.

The area has been described as ground zero for wolf conflicts that ranchers fear will become common once wolves are reintroduced in the state by the end of this year. The Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider approval of a plan for wolf reintroduction in May.

Reintroduction stems from a 2020 ballot initiative that Colorado voters passed. More than 63% of Routt County opposed reintroduction.

Sykes said he believes the wolves collared in North Park have become problem wolves and this would be a case where Parks and Wildlife should step in and remove or kill them. He noted the wolves didn’t eat his dog and had killed an elk nearby that they didn’t appear to feed on.

“If they would have killed a calf Monday morning out in the field, I would feel like, ‘OK, I’ve got to change my strategy,’ ” Sykes said. “This is my dog. This is family.”