Gray wolf. Photo by Cephas. Wikimedia Commons.
Minnesota 10/15/12 duluthnewstribune.com: by Park Rapids Enterprise – A Minnesota grouse hunter shot and killed a wolf that attacked and was chasing his dog on state forest land southeast of Park Rapids earlier this month. According to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Sam Hunter of Park Rapids, two men were grouse hunting on Oct. 6 in the Huntersville State Forest in northern Wadena County. Both had a pair of German shorthaired pointer dogs with them. During the hunt, one of the men’s dogs came dodging back through the woods, yelping. An adult male wolf weighing 90 pounds was in pursuit. The hunter waited until he could get a clear shot and killed the wolf, Hunter said. She said she could not say with certainty why the wolf became aggressive, but said the hunter was within his legal right to kill the animal. People are allowed to kill wolves to protect themselves, or in the case of immediate harm to pets or livestock, Hunter said. She reported that the wolf was shot from about eight yards away as it closed in on the dogs and the hunter. It was felled with birdshot ammo. The hunters reported the incident immediately, and Hunter photographed the dead animal. Hunter said such encounters are rare because wolves are notoriously shy of humans. “Enforcement action was not necessary,” she wrote in her weekly report. “It was a frightening experience during a grouse hunting trip that will not soon be forgotten.” – For photo of dead wolf see http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/246497/
Lyme Disease:
Massachusetts 10/15/12 wickedlocal.com: by Sara Mulkeen – Westborough is one of the latest towns in the MetroWest area to consider permitting deer hunting on public lands in order to curtail populations. Although towns have varying regulations on where hunting is allowed and what weapons can be used, some that have recently implemented new guidelines – such as Dover, Medfield, Framingham and Weston – have found residents willing to embrace bow hunting as a means of reducing car collisions with deer and the spread of Lyme disease. – For complete article see http://www.wickedlocal.com/westborough/features/x1272739511/More-towns-consider-deer-hunting-to-curtail-population#axzz29QUROjcf
Coyote Attacks:
California 10/14/12 Riverside County: Animal control officers say a Moreno Valley resident told them three coyotes attacked and carried off his dog when he released the dog from its leash to chase a ball on the local golf course. The officers say the golf course area is a coyote habitat. – See http://blog.pe.com/moreno-valley/2012/10/14/moreno-valley-residents-warned-to-protect-pets-from-coyotes/
Texas 10/15/12 Travis County: A boy, 14, is being treated for potential exposure to rabies after he was attacked by a coyote near his home in northwest Austin. The animal was not captured and wildlife professionals hope to trap the animal. Neighbors say there are aggressive coyotes in the vicinity. – See http://www.kvue.com/news/Austin-teen-says-coyote-attacked-him-174283131.html
West Nile Virus (WNV):
Georgia 10/15/12 Lowndes County: Health officials report that another mosquito sample collected in the county has tested positive for WNV. This is the 16th positive mosquito found in the county so far this year. – See http://www.walb.com/story/19825517/health-officials-announce-another-positive-west-nile-finding
Texas 10/15/12 Tarrant County: Health officials confirmed today that an Arlington resident in his 70s “with underlying medical conditions” is the 10th WNV-related fatality in the county so far this year. – See http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/tarrant-county-reports-its-10th-death-from-west-nile-virus.html/
Texas 10/15/12 thehorse.com: by Erica Larson – More than 70 Texas horses have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in 2012, according to statistics from the Texas Department of State Health Services. On Oct. 15 the department reported through its website that 72 horses residing in 49 Texas counties had been confirmed positive since the beginning of the year. The majority of those counties are located in the eastern half of the state, with just a handful being confirmed in West Texas. – See http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20779
Rabies:
Connecticut 10/15/12 New London County: A bat found inside a city of New London home on Gardner Avenue Thursday has tested positive for rabies. – See http://www.theday.com/article/20121015/NWS01/121019776/1047
Wisconsin 10/15/12 Eau Clair County: Authorities are looking for a dog that bit a young man at the Roosevelt school playground near the basketball hoops at 908 Folsum Street, in the city of Eau Clair, on Sunday, October 14, 2012 around 6:30 p.m. The dog is described as a smaller dog that was with a young woman. The woman had dark blond, or light brown hair. 
The dog became loose when the victim approached to retrieve a basketball, and bit the young man. The health and rabies status of the dog needs to be determined. If anyone has information about this animal, they should contact the Eau Claire Communications Center at 839-4972.
Natural Unseen Hazards Blog 
Incredible story about the grouse hunter and the wolf, Jerry.