I believe the implication was that it's previous owner had died or more specifically, been violently killed by either wolves or bandits, and the highly mysterious Nora stumbled upon him.

The question is whether she is fearsome (as a wolf slayer or a witch), or if she is simply generally disliked for no particular reason.

I even mulled over the possibility that she was similar to Horo (though perhaps not specifically a wolf). Horo does have a pack or a family up North.