need to know
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Three wolf-like canines were discovered in woods in Lancashire, England, the day before Halloween
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Initially, police said in an update that the animals were “not believed to be wolves” and quipped, “There is no full moon.”
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However, two months later, an exotic animal charity solved the mystery by sharing DNA test results from the animals.
An exotic animal charity has discovered the true identities of three wolf-like canines found in woods in Lancashire, England, the day before Halloween.
On October 30, Preston Police posted on social media that three wolf-like animals were seen wandering near Station Lane around 4:15 p.m.
“Officers, including our specially trained dog handlers, were on scene and the three animals were secured and taken to safety,” authorities wrote on Facebook at the time. “An investigation is ongoing into what type of animals they were and once the investigation is completed, they will be handed over to the appropriate authorities.”
The next day, on Halloween, Preston officials shared an update saying the three dogs were “not considered wolves.”
“We should have known… there was no full moon,” police quipped in the post, which included a photo of the two dogs. “We have now placed their care firmly in the council’s hands. The member of the public who reported this matter did so in good faith and we would like to thank them for contacting us.”
The animals were allegedly captured and sent to kennels where they would be euthanized if no one caught them within eight days. Wolves of Wiltshire, a small exotic animal charity based in Wiltshire, helps rehabilitate these wolf-like dogs with the help of 8 Below Husky Rescue.
“While they still need a lot of care and attention, their progress is encouraging,” the organization shared in a Dec. 5 Facebook post. “Wolf dogs behave differently than typical domestic dogs, and the higher the wolf content, the higher the level of care required. This morning, the puppies immediately started playing with each other upon arrival, showing a sense of ease in their new home.”
Rescuers spent the next few weeks helping the dogs settle in, giving the new arrivals time to bond with the group’s dogs. Ultimately, Wiltshire Wolves decided to conduct DNA tests on canines found in the park to determine whether they were wolves or dogs.
Although Preston City Council initially identified the dogs as German shepherds, DNA testing revealed the animals were close to 50 per cent gray wolf and just over 50 per cent Vlcak, a Czechoslovakian wolfdog breed.
The rescue group shared information about the animals: “Due to the very poor start in life for these three puppies, they are currently fearful and unwilling to trust humans.” The nonprofit has confirmed that the animals are wolf-dog hybrids. “Now, their instinct is not to seek comfort but to look for an escape route.”
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Wiltshire Wolves said it would place the hybrids in a secure, kennel-based environment with another stable dog until they can build more confidence and emotional safety.
“Placing them in a home right now, even with a loving human being, is irresponsible,” they continued on Facebook. “There is a high risk that dire wolf hybrids will escape, and escape could result in injury or death due to traffic, fear, or misunderstanding. This is not a risk we are willing to take.”
Read the original article on People
