Hi Ragy,
Only this morning, news came across the atlantic of yet another attack on
a child by a wolfdog. I have nothing against wolfdogs as animals - but this
story shows what happens when people who haven't got enough knowledge or skills
try to keep them as pets:
--
13 month old baby killed in Boise, Idaho by wolfdog pet
Boise, ID - Senator Laird Noh, a Republican from Kimberly, raises sheep when
he is not working at the legislature. So it is hardly surprising that he is
not a big fan of wolves. But he is particularly concerned about the growing
number of domestic wolves, so called wolf hybrids, that a growing number of
people are breeding, raising and buying as pets. "The record of wolf hybrids
is not pretty." The chairman of the Senate Resources and Environment Committee
has always believed wolf hybrids (part wolf and part dog) are dangerous. So
he was not overly surprised to hear that a wolf hybrid killed a 13-month old
baby in a Boise home as the boy's mother slept in a nearby bedroom. Noh's
attempts to outlaw their ownership in Idaho failed several years ago because
of what he termed the fanaticism of wolf hybrid owners
---
In the wake of Sunday's death of a 13 month old baby after a wolf hybrid
attack, some owners of hybrids are defending the dogs. They can jump a 7 foot
fence and run 40 miles per hour but other than those differences, Chris and
Cindy Joy of Wilder say their two hybrids, Chinook and Little Guy, are as
lovable and cuddly as a dog. "They're just love I would leave them around
my grandchildren faster than I would around my other dog." said Cindy Joy.
But Fish and Game experts say you're taking a gamble."They want to be a predator
and so you are combining some weird things. You are trying to make a wild
animal domestic which makes it very tough." says Idaho Department of Fish
Game expert, Steve Nadeau. But the Joys aren't convinced. Chinook and Little
Guy are the last of a 12 cub litter. They say it was hard to sell the other
cubs because of a wide spread perception that they are dangerous."These guys
are known as hybrids makes for a very good combination. They've got the loyalty
of man's best friend. But the love and companionship of a wolf pack." said
Chris Joy. So what could have led a wolf hybrid to allegedly kill a 13 month
old baby?
Phil
