Alaska wolf attack kills six dogs

November 3, 2007

A wolf attack in Marshall, Alaska has left three sled dogs and three puppies dead.

"There's a real possibility of a rabies outbreak"

MARSHALL, Alaska -- Authorities in Marshall, Alaska, are considering euthanizing 20 dogs after one of the wolves involved in a recent attack tested positive for rabies.

Nick Andrew Jr. of the local Ohogamiut Traditional Council said the rabies discovery after last week's wolf attack has led to serious outbreak concerns on the part of local and state officials, The Anchorage Daily News reported Friday.

"There's a real possibility of a rabies outbreak," the tribal administrator said. "There are still wolves near the village. Our concern is the unknown: How many wolves are still in the pack and how many are rabid?"

The wolf that tested positive for rabies was killed during the attack, which left three sled dogs and three puppies dead.

Spread through saliva, rabies can be fatal and has been known to cause unpredictable and often aggressive behavior in animals.

The Daily News said that the euthanizing may be necessary because several local canines have not been vaccinated against the disease and others were bloodied and possibly infected during the wolf attack.