Rybinsk District, Russia – Wolf hunting is underway after a predator killed a local dog in the village of Konyaevo, shocking residents who hadn’t seen a wolf in the area for over 40 years.
A Rare Sighting Sparks Concern
The unexpected appearance of a wolf in a typically peaceful village has prompted a hunt and left residents on edge.
- A wolf attacked and killed a 15-year-old dog named Misha in Konyaevo.
- The last wolf sighting in the village was in the 1980s, when a pack attacked livestock.
- The predator is believed to have come from the Poshekhonsky forests.
- A hunt has been launched, complicated by heavy snowfall.
- The dog, Mukha, witnessed the attack but was unharmed.
The six-year-old dog, Mukha, now seems lost, lingering near the empty doghouse where Misha lived, and perhaps even feels responsible for not alerting the owners to the wolf’s presence. This was Mukha’s first encounter with a predator.
“He entered through the main entrance. I ran around here a little. He began to move through this territory towards the first girl dog. The dog, apparently, was just scared, maybe she also somehow sensed him, that this was not an ordinary dog. She just silently stood up and silently watched,” shared Ivan Voronov, the dog’s owner.
Cameras installed on the property captured the wolf’s cautious approach. The predator initially walked around in the snow, observing the dogs’ reactions without immediately attacking. It appeared to sense another dog was present and altered its course toward Misha.
“It’s a bit far from that distant camera to see what was happening here. But two pairs of eyes were visible in the frame – they sparkled because the wolf had entered from this side. Most likely my dog is old, maybe she didn’t hear him anymore. This was the reason why the wolf attacked first,” Voronov explained.
What are the chances of a wolf attack in a residential area? While rare, such incidents can occur when wolves venture closer to human settlements in search of food, particularly during harsh winter conditions.
The attack was swift, and the 15-year-old Misha didn’t stand a chance. The wolf attempted to drag the dog into the forest, but Ivan’s mother heard the commotion and scared the predator away. The village is deeply saddened by the loss of a beloved pet.
“Well, first of all, he was handsome, he was smart. He was about to lose his temper, but he didn’t bite anyone,” said Valentina Savelyeva, a local resident.
“Misha, we have him, I don’t know how many chains and collars we’ve changed for him in all this time. He tore them. I was proud of him. Very, very sorry. He was like a family member with us,” Voronov added, his voice filled with grief.
Wolves haven’t been regularly seen in the village since the 1980s, when a pack decimated a herd of calves. Authorities believe this wolf likely came from the Poshekhonsky forests and has since returned there. Hunters are tracking its movements through the snow.
“We’ll look for where he went. Where it is located, go around. There is no way out. Check the boxes and that’s it. Other hunters will come to help and we will shoot. Take permission for a wolf,” said Vladimir Pugachev, a huntsman with the Volga hunting area.
Until the wolf is caught, Mukha is being kept inside, despite preferring her outdoor kennel. Her owners are determined not to lose another beloved companion.
