By Spencer Sterritt

Beach closed after Nanaimo woman’s dog attacked by wolves

Mar 24, 2017 | 5:18 PM

NANAIMO — A Nanaimo woman and her dog know how dangerous the newly emerging wolves near Ucluelet, B.C. can be.

The evening of Tuesday, March 21, Isabel Flood and her dog Chester were walking along Wickaninnish Beach when Chester was attacked by wolves.

He was off leash and had run ahead.

“I looked and I saw my dog fighting with this animal, who I assumed was a bigger dog,” Flood told NanaimoNewsNOW. “At first I thought they were fighting and then I realized ‘wow, the animal is really overpowering my dog.’”

It wasn’t until Flood got closer to a whimpering and struggling Chester she realized her dog was being mauled by a wolf.

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Chester was almost dragged off into the woods but thankfully a couple arrived and helped scare off the wolf by yelling and throwing sticks. In the commotion, the dog managed to free himself.

Flood said she’s grateful beyond words towards the couple who came to her aid.

“I really hope someone can let me know who they were. I would like to say thank-you because I was too afraid.”

Leaving the scene, Flood said Chester was obviously wounded but managed to keep up with them. His health deteriorated quickly however and he could barely walk.

He was taken to a late night emergency veterinary clinic in North Nanaimo where he was treated for wounds on his hindlegs and back.

“This is a dog who can walk 10 km. And now he can’t walk farther than the front steps to the back.”

Though his wounds were serious, Flood says Chester is expected to make a full recovery.

According to Parks Canada, wolves in the Ucluelet area appear to have lost their fear of humans and now pose a risk to visitors.

Sections of Wickaninnish Beach have been closed and there is a one-week ban on dogs.

To reduce the risk of an incident, Parks Canada said visitors should stay in close groups and make plenty of noise while they walk. If anyone sees a wolf, they should do their best to look large and slowly back away.

If a wolf does approach, people are urged to yell, throw anything they can and use pepper spray or an air horn if they have one.

Parks Canada said anyone confronted by a wolf should never run or turn their back.

spencer.sterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit