Canadian Canine Killer On The Loose
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on August 12th, 2006
The CBC (Canadian Broadcast Company) is reporting that there is a mystery beast on the loose killing dogs on an island at Reindeer Lake.
Mystery beast blamed for killing 3 dogs
Last Updated: Thursday, August 10, 2006 | 4:26 PM CT
CBC News
People on a northern Manitoba reserve are avoiding a lake after three sled dogs were gutted amid reports that a strange creature is on the loose.
Chief Joe Dantouze of the Northlands First Nation in Lac Brochet said Thursday that he had never seen an animal kill in the manner that befell the dogs.
The dogs were found gutted on a island in nearby Reindeer Lake on Sunday morning and another four dogs have gone missing.
Manitoba conservation officials have been looking into the matter and have taken the bodies of the dead dogs for analysis.
Dantouze said some people claimed to have spotted a mysterious creature on the lake, but didn’t give a description.
"There were signs that people had seen something out on the lake but they don’t know what type of animal it would be," Dantouze said.
People believe the mysterious creature killed the dogs, he said.
"They’re afraid right now. People are afraid to go out on the lake, like for fishing, and to use the beaches around the lake.
"And I think, who wouldn’t be if something like this would happen to another lake? I think people would be scared and I think that’s how it is right now."
Dantouze said the band has advised people to stay away from the lake for the time being.
Is this canine killer a cryptid? The report doen not give much detail. Are the people seeing an aquatic or terrestrial creature?
Is there a more likely culprit? What do the readers of Cryptomundo think?
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
Well, there are three predators that I believe may be native to the area that are big enough or fierce enough to do this. I would think either mountain lion, bear or perhaps wolverine. My vote would be for the mountain lion. Have any tracks been found in the vicinity? We need more information. On a side note, I would think that a lake in Canada would probably be too cold for a misplaced animal such as a crocodile or a alligator to live for very long. So I doubt the cryptid is some sort of reptile.
good story craig, mmm this an interesting one for sure. Im not sure about this one, i cant really give my opinion obviously this animal is vicious. To tell you the truth for an animal to kill dogs must one big size animal with a nasty appetite. Hopefully in the next few days there will be more information on this story.
David you might want to also add Plains Grizzly Bear to that list. Although officially it’s listed a extirpated within Saskatchewan, where Reindeer Lake is. It wouldn’t be the first time something listed as extirpated or extinct, didn’t strangely reappear in it’s old habitat. According to the information I found about Plains Grizzly Bears, they mentioned EXTREMELY long claws. Just the ticket for quickly disemboweling an enemy.
Since the dogs weren’t eaten, I would assume whatever killed them wasn’t hungry, and most likely killed the dogs in self defense.
I don’t know, if it were one of the usual suspects would people be reporting that they saw something “strange” on the lake? I guess its possible that witnesses have misidentified a regular or out of place native animal, but this is an interesting story.
Many cryptid hominid encounters with dogs allegedly end violently. If the animal were some kind of “lake monster” you would expect it to take off into the lake, but who knows. Some of the lake monsters are allegedly very dangerous.
Very interesting situation.
I rule out cryptid until there is a better description.
I bet we’ll find the description of a sighted “lake monster” as just a coincidence, at that the actual cuprit is more likely what I or moregon has mentioned. I don’t recall any lakes in manitoba having a history of lake monsters, but I do recall many lakes having logs floating in them, which to the casual observer, could look like something in the lake. I just returned from a camping trip to Diamond Lake, OR, and I saw what perfectly matched the water trails left by nessie in some old black and white films I had seen, but it turned out what I saw was actually a large flock of loons scooting across the water and then diving in search of water, then reappearing and repeating the pattern. It was actually somewhat entertaining. My point is that the mundane, and not the the unusual, is more often the culprit in cases such as this.
Reindeer lake has a history of lake monster sightings that extends to modern times:
Reindeer Lake was named for the huge herds of barren ground caribou whose winter migration would often bring them as far south as this lake. They do not come this far any more, but some of the older local Indians remember seeing them. There is even a legend about a monster in Deep Bay which ate reindeer as they fell through the ice. Some local people, and also some of our guests, have reported seeing this monster, or one of its relatives!
Agree doesn’t sound like hungry animal since no mention of the dogs being eaten is mentioned. And what exactly is meant by saying it was seen ON the lake. was it swiming, floating? And yes a description would help.
And of the possibilities listed are any of them noted for gutting it’s victims or prey?
Since there’s little in the way of an actual description, it is possible the “gutting” occured postmortem at the hands of a fisher or wolverine.
Timber wolf(wolves) maybe? They often kill other canines – coyotes, dogs, foxes, etc.
I say the same thing for an alleged lake dweller to gut and eat dogs if this is the case this might be the break through for a living if possible lake dinosaur perhaps one of my favorite dinosaurs is the MOSAURUS but that might be too much to wish for. Would be something though.
Mountain lions are generally afraid of dogs. Dogs are used to hunt mountian lions and in some places dogs are also used to track and or tree bears.
Dogs are too fast generally for bears and bears dont usually kill for meat. They eat other kills or leftovers. A bear might take a swipe at one annoying dog but bears also tend to run from dogs.
As to wolverines I cant speak to as I don’t have them in my area and dont know of their ways.
of course, in my the above post, i was addressing black bears not brown or polar bears. we know bears of the brown and white persuasion hunt for meat.
I don’t think any sort of wild creature is to blame; if it were so, everything would have been eaten. On the other hand, I really have no idea. I’ve heard stories of sasquatches killing deer (by snapping their necks, of all the possible ways), and taking only the livers. Dunno folks.
I haven’t heard of a repeated killing of multiple dogs like this – by wolverine, bear, wolves, etc. or anything else. I think if a bear or something took out one dog that would be the end of it – the others would take off.
Reindeer Lake is pretty far from the Great Lakes, but it might be worth noting that the Great Lakes (like South Bay Bessie) cryptid or cryptids are allegedly pretty dangerous. I believe there’s an account of hunters allegedly witnessing something ripping a deer in half.
I have to agree if a wild or cryptid aminal killed 1 dog the others would have taken off. If they were not a Fresh kill being within 2-3 hours something else would have came along an had a free meal. Now the wolf idea maybe a pack cornered them and attacked all 4 then something scared them off before they could eat. Doubt it has anything to do with something strange sighted in the water. Could have been a bear but most dogs could get away from a bear. I just do not know maybe a sick person out their getting even with the owner. Their are some people out their that is not above getting even by killing a person pet.
Good Morning Craig….
Interesting incident in Canada…eh. Too little information to fuel anything other than random speculation…at this point…predation…ritualistic…self defense…quien sabe…
My killer dawgs stay home when I go in the field…for fear of them injuring or being injured needlessly…JMHO
I visited a local research area yesterday…with Cherokee researchers…we posted photos and a narrative at BFF…Arkansas/Oklahoma investigations…
I quickly realized how little I know… and salute those fine folks who quietly spend their time and resources searching…while we second guess their efforts…JMHO
seeing is believing..
Ole bub and the killer dawgs
OK, not really much to go on here, but since we’re speculating wildly here (Mosasaur?), how about a Giant Beaver? They were (are?) indigenous to the area, live in lakes but are terrestrial, and have big claws and a very bad temperament.
My money’s on some sicko with a knife, but I just thought I’d throw that out there…
Someone from another site (who apparently lives close to the area) mentioned that a wolf pack will attack dogs like this.
But when mentioned in conjunction with a lake monster, especially one alleged to eat reindeer, who knows.
As to what it could be if it was a lake monster that killed the dogs: Could be a lot of things. If whatever allegedly lives in Lake Superior can allegedly rip a deer in half it certainly could be that. Could be whatever Ogopogo and/or Manipogo is. Could be some kind of beaked whale. Could be some kind of surviving dinosaur or marine reptile. Could be a large snake. Lots of possibilities if there is a “lake monster” there. Of course if it does eat reindeer it would have to be pretty big.
I believe someone already said this but I’ve heard/read before that Bigfoot will kill dogs and take their livers while leaving the rest. That’s why dogs are always so afraid of them… they are a natural predator.
Since we are all here talking bout what is ripping apart reindeer and dogs eating them. Who really knows what it was, whatever it is its got to be one angry creature. The reason I say its a mosaurus, there is speculation that the ogopogo is a mosaurus. Because I’ve read alot of literature on the ogopogo, I’ve some pretty interesting things. Remember one thing, some of these lakes are deep, also lizards can tear their prey apart so it must be a lizard type creature.
just because they were gutted doesn’t mean that we are necessarily talking cryptid. Mountain lions usually, if they feel they have the time, will eat the heart of a deer first. If whatever enjoys the intestinal tract, then why not? How long did they say the dog was missing? Was anything else gone? I’m thinking that a cougar, wolverine, wolf, etc… could have killed it and then something in the same niche as opossums could have done away with the intestines. Yes, most people don’t know this, but the opossum wanders thru dead animals to eat whatever it can, but would rather have the intestines.
Loren, we need more info if we are going to come up with the answer.
Sorry, crypto_randz, but I find your logic a tad simplistic. Lots of animals can tear their prey apart, it is by no means and in no way an exclusive reptilian trait. The leap from mutilated dogs to living Mosasaurs is one I don’t think even Evel Knievel could make…
Not going to say much on this , but don’t underestimate the power of a caribou’s antlers. Dogs not eaten and nicely gutted. Sounds like a cornered female caribou to me. Don’t believe me, ask a northern native about just how dangerous one of these animals can be. Especally if it were wounded.
Mnynames, it was just an opinion because this story was just a little hard one to have a good solution. The MOSAURUS theory I gave was probably too much to ask for. I was hoping it would be, it would be a great find. I know in LAKE OKANAGAN there’s little speculation that the ogopogo is maybe a MOSAURS maybe?
Couple points-
-I think the “eats the livers and leaves the rest” stories about Bigfoot are mainly from accounts and deer carcasses in OH.
-Caribou lose their antlers every year, but apparently some females don’t lose them until the summer. But then reindeers supposedly don’t make it to Reindeer Lake anymore.
-The Ogopogo sightings are all over the map concerning what it allegedly is. There are some theories that alleged it is a “cadbosaurus” and some that allege it is a beaked or archaic whale like a zeuglodon. But there are supposedly some “long necked” sightings as well.
Having worked for Manitoba Natural Resources in Northern Manitoba in the past, I can offer some suggestions/comments here:
1. There was a confirmed sighting of a grizzly bear near Thompson, MB about 8 years ago.
2. These were sled dogs. Often these dogs are tied up and have their own individual dog houses. And there are usually a lot more than 3 sled dogs. They make lots of noise when something is around. Often targets of wolves, which is why they are sometimes kept on islands.
3. Probably not a cougar. It would be staying as far away from a bunch of sled dogs as possible. Not to mention they don’t range that far West or North (however see #1).
4. It doesn’t take long for scavengers (ravens, crows, magpies, various small mammals) to completely remove the internal organs of a dead animal. 3 days and the maggots/beetles will have it all cleaned out regardless.
5. Re: Female Caribou. Woodland caribou females are now with calf, and tend to stay on islands in the summer to protect against wolves. Facing 3 dogs, she would probably take to the water and swim away, but it’s still a plausible theory. Antlers are still growing at this time of year I think.
6. Wolves like to tear stuff to shreds, from what I’ve seen of wolf kill sites.
7. twblack wrote: “I just do not know maybe a sick person out their getting even with the owner.”
This is the most probable explanation.
8. Need more info here before anything can be said with certainty.
Ozone-
Thanks for commenting, especially due to your experience with the area.
Are you familiar with sightings of possibly unknown animals in Reindeer Lake? If so, how often do they occur and what do the witnesses report?
Also, do you happen to have any more information from the local media – where the dogs were found, were they part of the same team, were the bodies found together, etc.?
Strong points ozone and shovethenos, great information. I’ll accept the zeuglodon that was another possibility for ogopogo sightings. The long neck sightings are interesting, maybe more than one specie in that body of water? If you take a look at some of these lakes they almost look prehistoric settings, I mean the background, just look at Rattlesnake Island. They claim thats the lair of the ogopogo. Reindeer Lake must have a cryptid living there, anything is possible.
I haven’t heard of any specific reports out of Reindeer Lake of strange sightings. However this lake is in a different district than the one I worked in. The only lake monster I’ve ever heard of in Manitoba is “Manipogo” in Lake Manitoba/Lake Winnipegosis.
Nothing in the local media so far either, but you won’t find much “investigative journalism” up here anyway… the papers basically echo what is written elsewhere.
Another point I should have made in the previous post is that in light of the Sasquatch video out of Norway House last year (it was shown on a tabloid TV show in the US), many northern communities have become envious and are wont to attribute strange occurances to paranomal explanations. Superstition/traditional beliefs are also powerful motivators in certain communities.
Depending on the quality of the observer, “strange sightings” on the lake could be all sorts of things, from caribou swimming, to deadhead logs, etc. I wonder how many “sightings” there were prior to the discovery of the dogs, or if people started looking for “strange” things after the mysterious dog deaths.
I guess it is pretty strange though. We need more info, but I doubt you’ll hear any follow up reports. Someone from Cryptomundo should book a fishing trip to Lac Brochet and do a follow up! (Not me, this is a shameless tourism plug for N. MB)
Take care all.
oldbutnotstupid:
Interesting point about the deer. I’ve heard tales that a deer can disembowel a man with, not the antlers, but the sharp edge of the hoof. I always took them to be about half ‘old wive’s tale’ (with some basis in fact), because I know I wouldn’t want to suffer a kick from a deer, threat of disemboweling or no, and that is why I was always taught to approach a downed deer in a way that kept the antlers and the hooves away from you and to touch its eye with a twig/arrow/tip of your gun to be sure it was truly dead before trying to gut it.
The giant beaver theory is interesting too. The disemboweled, but not eaten, nature would seem to indicate threat killing over predation, but one never knows. I hope we hear more on this.