Marion County Sheriff Gregg Alexander released a statement on Wednesday addressing concerns about hybrid-wolves in the community. Rumors have been circulating that as many as forty wolf-hybrids had been let loose, but the number of wolf-hybrids who were unaccounted for at press time was only six. The sheriff's complete statement is as follows:
"As rumors are circulating regarding forty (40) hybrid wolves being released into the community, I wanted to address these concerns. This morning, I went to Wanda’s Mountain and visited with the owner of the Wolf/Hybrid Compound. He confirmed his wolf hybrids did dig out of their confinement and that all have returned with the exception of six animals."
The statement continues, "The six are still at large and the owner says if they cause anyone trouble, they need to be disposed of. As I visited the owner, I noted several of the animals in the yard and on porches. They all seemed to be well-fed and cared for. Since there are still some animals that have not yet returned to the compound, it would be in the community’s best interest to be watchful when out and about in the area."
Arkansas state codes concerning the regulation of wolves and wolf-dog hybrids kept as companion animals define a "wolf-dog hybrid” as any animal which is publicly acknowledged by its owner as being the offspring of a wolf and domestic dog; however, no animal may be judged to be a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid based strictly on its appearance.
State codes provide specific rabies vaccination requirements for wolf-dog hybrids are detailed as well as confinement requirements (i.e, specific fence dimensions). If a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid bites a person or injures or destroys another animal while out of its confined area, the person responsible for the adequate confinement of the animal upon conviction shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
