Marauding wolves terrorize B.C. town

Unseasonably mild weather in northern British Columbia has meant wolves are cut off from their normal food supplies. So the wolves have turned to eating other things, such as pet dogs.

The people of Atlin, B.C., have seen 12 of their dogs killed in the past few weeks. As a result, authorities in the town have decided to allow people to shoot wolves on sight.

The wolves are normally found on an island hunting moose and caribou. But in the warm temperatures, the lake hasn't frozen, so the wolves can't get to their usual food.

"There's carcasses, like half a dog left in a yard," said Mark Tevli, whose own Labrador retriever was killed. "Some have been killed right on their chains, some out in the timbers."

The marauding wolves have become enough of a threat to pets and people that police, wildlife officials and First Nations leaders have agreed to allow people to shoot the wild animals.

Two have recently been shot.

Tevli says the wolves are coming into yards in broad daylight, acting as if they have no fear of people.

"That's why we all suspect that they're really extremely hungry."

The wolves will be in the gunsights of Atlin's residents until they move on.