Zach Urness, Statesman Journal
The Mount Emily Pack was blamed for two attacks on sheep in Eastern Oregon earlier this month, and three attacks for the summer, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The attacks were investigated by ODFW on Aug. 4 in Union County and Aug. 15 in Umatilla County. In both cases, wolves were determined to have killed a sheep.
“ODFW examined the sheep carcass and the location and appearance of the bite wounds are consistent with those observed in other confirmed sheep depredations by wolves from this pack,” the report from Aug. 15 said.
In the past two years, the pack has engaged in five confirmed attacks, killing 13 sheep, one dog and wounding two dogs. The Mount Emily Pack is composed of two adults and four pups and is located in the northeast corner of Oregon.
The number of attacks could qualify the pack for lethal action, said Michelle Dennehy, spokeswoman for ODFW.
“ODFW can consider lethal control after two confirmed depredations,” Dennehy said in an email. “At this time we are continuing to focus on non-lethal preventive measures in this area.”