Mexican gray wolves bite domestic dogs in Gila Hot Springs area

Two domestic dogs were bitten by Mexican gray wolves in the Gila Hot Springs area around Thanksgiving day, according to New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Service public outreach specialist Jeff Humphries. The wolves belong to the Coronado Pack, which were originally released at McKenna Park in the Gila Wilderness during the summer. Neither of the wounded dogs was seriously injured, Humphries reported. The two domestic dogs that were attacked are a retired sheep dog and a dog of unknown breed, though the second dog is believed to be a pet. The dogs had puncture wounds in their flesh and the Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the bites came from Mexican gray wolves. The bites occurred on Nov. 27 and Nov. 29. Humphries added that a field crew went into the Gila Wilderness area on Nov. 24 to get a handle on wolf movement. Two of the adults in the pack wear collars which transmit the wolves’ location via satellite. By early December, the field crew was able to drive the wolf pack back into the Gila Wilderness area through the use of yelling, firecrackers and horns. New Mexico Cattle Growers Association Executive Director Caren Cowan said that as more Mexican gray wolves are released into the wild, there will be more conflict between wild animals and people...more