Another dog was taken by wolves near Watson Lake, spokesman Dennis Senger of the Department of Environment said Friday.

Senger said the dog was killed last Wednesday night or Thursday morning in Upper Liard, about 18 kilometres west of Watson Lake, where five dogs have been killed and eaten by wolves recently.

There was also a dog killed at Upper Liard two weeks ago, he said.

Watson Lake conservation officers and a local trapper have set out snares.

One dog was killed while out walking with its owner.

A report from Watson Lake indicates the dog would run into the woods along the trail and back again, repeatedly.

When the dog did not return one time, the owner when to investigate, and managed to scare off the attacking wolves, though the dog had to be put down because it was so badly injured.

Others were killed right on their chains.

Senger said he could not say whether there is any evidence indicating the dogs that died in Upper Liard were killed by the same wolves taking the Watson Lake dogs.

The communities are some distance away. However, when wolves were killing dogs in the Wolf Creek subdivision five years ago, he recalled, they were travelling between Wolf Creek and Lake Laberge.

The department is recommending Watson Lake pet owners take extra precautions to watch over their animals, and to bring their dogs in for the night.

A pack of four to six wolves has been seen in and around the Watson Lake area.

Byron Dalziel, a lifelong Watson Lake resident and hunter who was once a big game outfitter, said in an interview last week the wolf behaviour is very unusual, given conditions.

There is very little snow, so the wolves shouldn't be having to much trouble stocking more natural prey, he said, adding it's not the end of a hard winter when it's not uncommon to see a skinny wolf looking for some easy nourishment.

Wildlife managers in Alaska are also reporting problems this winter with wolves killing dogs.