Latest news with #SierraCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Officials issue warning after wolf leaves bloody mess on resident's front porch: 'A dramatic increase in attacks'
The Sierra County Sheriff's Office in California shared a warning to locals via Facebook, with a striking statement at the beginning of the message: "Under Gray Wolf Siege." For the entire month of April, police say Sierra Valley residents lived "under siege from escalating gray wolf activity." The Facebook post explained that the presence of gray wolves in Sierra County was neither new nor uncommon, but "a dramatic increase in attacks" prompted officials to issue a warning. Authorities in the county said the incidents escalated in early April, resulting in injuries to eight calves, two of which were subsequently euthanized. Sacramento-based journalists visited the scene to cover the uptick in gray wolf activity. While they were on the scene at one of "the affected ranches," two gray wolves prowled around the ranch's cattle "in broad daylight." "Although efforts were made to haze the wolves from the pasture, they returned within an hour and attacked two more calves," the sheriff's office said. Authorities described a "particularly concerning incident," during which a calf was killed "while California Department of Fish and Wildlife game wardens were actively patrolling the property." Police said that the incident "highlights the inefficiency of current [wolf] hazing policies," adding that the standing approach is "impractical for large-scale ranching operations." As the Sierra County Sheriff's Office stated, its local gray wolf population is "demonstrating very little fear of humans" while "moving closer and closer into our residential areas and communities." Conditions like urban sprawl — when human development encroaches on animal habitats — are driving wildlife into unexpected places. A skier recently encountered a bear on the slopes in Colorado, and in April, another bear frightened shoppers near a Connecticut mall. Wolves and bears in residential areas are becoming more common. In addition to habitat loss, warming temperatures and increasingly extreme weather are prompting unusually aggressive behavior in wildlife, while food scarcity is exacerbating behavioral anomalies in wild animals. Not enough, according to the Sierra County Sheriff's Office. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The "escalating behavior represents a serious public safety concern that cannot be ignored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife," it said at the end of the post. Authorities are routinely warning residents of such risks, and organizations provide advice for folks in the event they unexpectedly encounter wolves in the wild. In addition to remaining aware of unusual activity in local animal populations, broader actions are a big help, too. Donating to climate-related causes is another way to combat habitat destruction and offset the havoc it wreaks on wildlife and ecosystems. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
California Sheriff Declares His County ‘Under Siege' from Gray Wolves
At least 18 confirmed wolf 'attacks' of livestock and big game have occurred this month in Sierra Valley, California according to the Sierra County Sheriff's Office. Although no humans have been injured, law enforcement officials are describing the situation as a serious threat to public safety that cannot be managed by nonlethal hazing efforts alone. 'Over the past 28 days, ranchers and residents in Sierra Valley have been under siege from escalating gray wolf activity,' the law enforcement agency wrote Monday in a social media post. 'While the presence of wolves in the valley is not new, this spring has seen a dramatic increase in attacks.' While 'attacks' suggests humans were involved, the agency is instead referencing multiple cattle depredations and wolves hunting deer and elk near residences. Sierra County lies between the Plumas and Tahoe national forests just west of Reno. It's the second-least populated county in California. But when it comes to wolves, the region is home to the Diamond and Beyem Seyo wolfpacks. 'The incidents began early this month with six calves attacked and wounded. This was quickly followed by two additional calves that were attacked so severely they had to be euthanized.. During a visit by Sacramento news media to one of the affected ranches, two wolves were observed and recorded in broad daylight among cows and calves. Although efforts were made to haze the wolves from the pasture, they returned within an hour and attacked two more calves. Since then, DS Ranches have reported three additional calf attacks resulting in either death or euthanasia … Beyond the DS Ranch incidents, a ranch just north reported three calves, and one cow killed, while a ranch just south reported one cow attacked.' The Sheriff's Office stressed that current nonlethal hazing efforts aren't cutting it for stockgrowers and residents. 'One particularly concerning incident involved a calf killed while California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) game wardens were actively patrolling the property,' the Sheriff's Office noted. 'This highlights the inefficiency of current hazing policies, which are impractical for large-scale ranching operations.' The two incidents that seem to amplify law enforcement's concerns for human safety have occurred not on ranches, but closer to home. 'On Saturday night, following the Loyalton Fire Department's Spaghetti Feed at the Sierra Brooks lodge, the Sierra County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call around 11:00 p.m., reporting a suspected wolf attack on a deer in a resident's side yard, just 100 yards from the Sierra Brooks Lodge. Deputies responded, but the suspected wolf had fled. As deputies approached, the severely injured deer stood up and fled into nearby brush. While the witness reported extensive injuries consistent with a wolf attack, deputies were unable to euthanize the deer to obtain DNA confirmation. The Sheriff's Office is awaiting confirmation from CDFW that the tracks located in the yard are wolf.' The following night, a resident awoke to what sounded like an attempted burglary. Instead, two wolves had reportedly chased a cow elk onto his doorstep. On Monday 'at approximately 7:30 a.m., Sheriff Mike Fisher received a call from a local resident reporting that his son had discovered evidence of an animal attack on their front porch around 12:30 a.m.,' the sheriff's office wrote. 'The resident provided photographs showing bloody wolf tracks on the porch. Sheriff Fisher coordinated with CDFW and responded to the scene. Upon investigation, it was determined that at least two wolves were involved in the attack. It is believed that an elk, while being chased by the wolves, ended up at the residence's doorstep before ultimately being taken down and killed approximately 50 yards from the house.' The hunt left smeared blood all over the house and bloody paw prints on the front porch. Despite the Sheriff Department's claims of affected domestic and wild animals in the last month, however, CDFW has not yet reported any of its April investigations on its website. There have been no confirmed wolf depredations for Sierra County in 2025 yet according to the investigations the agency has made public, which cover through March. (Note, however, that the Sierra Valley covers a larger area than Sierra County.) And while CDFW conducted hundreds of livestock depredation investigations across the state in recent years, the agency confirmed just one wolf kill for Sierra County in 2024. Genetic testing confirmed a wolf killed a calf on public land there in late July. Wolves range well beyond county lines, however, and other wolf kills were confirmed nearby. One explanation for the sudden surge in wolf activity in Sierra County is the nature of wolf behavior: Wolves regularly range beyond their established territory. 'In October 2024, the collared female in the Beyem Seyo pack (LAS23F) shifted her area of activity significantly, moving south into Sierra County,' the CDFW reported in its latest wolf management update. 'Her collar remained active, and she began using portions of what were previously reported as the Beckwourth and Antelope pack areas. Multiple wolves continued to be detected in the historical Beyem Seyo pack area after the collared female's departure.' Read Next: 'The Situation Is Not Tolerable.' New Mexico County Declares State of Emergency Over Mexican Wolves Killing Livestock, Pets Gray wolves naturally returned to California in 2011, according to the CDFW. The predators remain classified as endangered species under both state and federal law. 'The suspected wolf attack [of a deer] in Sierra Brooks, combined with the confirmed elk attack just feet from a residence, underscores a growing and alarming trend: these wolves are demonstrating very little fear of humans and are moving closer and closer into our residential areas and communities. This escalating behavior represents a serious public safety concern that cannot be ignored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.'
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
3 dead of hantavirus in Mono County
( — The Sierra County Sheriff's Office said on Wednesday that Mono County reported that three people died of hantavirus in Loyalton. Video Above: Is bird flu dangerous to humans? SCSO said that although the infection is rare, it can be severe and deadly. The sheriff's office wants the community to know that the infection is carried by deer mice and breathing in dust contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva can cause the hantavirus. The most common way of getting the infection is by cleaning cabins, sheds, garages, or other closed-up spaces where mice have been present, according to SCSO. SCSO provided key facts to know about Hantavirus: Hantavirus is not spread from person to person. Symptoms usually begin 1 to 5 weeks after exposure. Symptoms include fever, body aches, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Cough and shortness of breath may develop after a few days and can lead to respiratory failure and death. There is no specific cure, but early intensive medical care increases survival chances. Dog, kittens rescued in seperate incidents in Modesto SCSO also provided prevention tips and safe cleaning practices: Seal any openings larger than ¼ inch where mice can enter. Use snap traps indoors and avoid sticky traps. Store food in rodent-proof containers. Keep woodpiles at least 100 feet from homes or buildings. Air out closed buildings for at least 30 minutes before cleaning. Do not sweep or vacuum rodent droppings, as this can stir up virus particles. Spray droppings, nests, or carcasses with a 10% bleach solution or a virus-killing disinfectant and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before wiping. Inspect vehicles, especially the heating and air conditioning systems, for signs of rodent activity. Rodent-proof homes and workplaces. The sheriff's office advises the community to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know develops a fever after being exposed to rodents or if you cleaned an area with rodent activity. More information can be found on the California Department of Public Health website and on the Sierra County's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect arrested after online scam involving Facebook Marketplace purchase
( — The Sierra County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect who has been involved in an online scam that defrauded a resident of almost $20,000. On Sept. 20, 2024, the sheriff's office received a report from a resident who lives in Sierra County regarding a false vehicle purchase that was made through Facebook Marketplace, according to authorities. Officials said that the victim had paid $19,800 for a vehicle that was never delivered and after crews investigated it was determined that the suspect had used a fake name, email, phone number, and website to create the false ad. After the payment was received, the suspect deleted all communication which prevented the victim from making further contact, said SCSO. CHP investigates crash resulting in major injuries in Yuba County After an extensive investigation, on Dec. 26, 2024, investigators with the SCSO identified the suspect and obtained a warrant to arrest the suspect who was originally from New York, SCSO said. The warrant was issued for theft by false pretenses and three counts of money laundering. On Jan. 8, SCSO was notified by the New York Police Department that he had been taken into custody, and with the assistance of U.S. Marshals Service, he was extradited to Sierra County and booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada County on Feb. 27, according to the statement by SCSO. At this time, officials said that he is being held on $140,000 bail as he waits for court proceedings. SCSO said, 'The Sierra County Sheriff's Office urges residents to remain vigilant when making online purchases, particularly on social media platforms, and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
