ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 2, 1997 TAG: 9702030011
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Guest Column
SOURCE: J. HENRY HERSHEY and V.B. MARCUSSEN
We would like to comment on the article "Wolf hybrids 'nice' but..." that was in The Roanoke Times on Dec. 27.
As public health officials, we have two concerns: 1) Safety-behavior cannot be predicted when wild and domestic animals are mixed; and 2) we lack good, solid scientific information on rabies in these animals.
In considering safety, we mention the following points:
While wild animals can be tamed, they cannot be domesticated.
The first generation cross between a wolf and a dog has 50 percent of its genetic material from each parent. Subsequent generations have unknown quantities of wolf and domestic. There is no way to know which genes from each parent are passed on, so puppies in the same litter could be either mostly wolf or mostly dog.
Experts in the fields of animal behavior all agree that there are inherent risks in owning canine hybrids. There is overwhelming evidence that animals that are partly wild (especially those that are part wolf) have more potential for injuring people than those that are domestic because:
Predatory behavior is more easily triggered;
Wolves are pack animals who constantly test the dominance of the pack leaders -in a home this could mean humans;
Dogs do not usually fear humans like wolves do.
These can be lethal combinations.
The issue of rabies must also be addressed:
There is little scientific data on whether rabies vaccines will protect wolf hybrids or how long these animals incubate rabies or carry the virus before recognizable signs. There is no licensed rabies vaccine for wolves or wolf hybrids. Blood tests that measure the animal's response to vaccine are not reliable.
The length of time that wolves and hybrids carry rabies virus in the saliva prior to showing recognizable signs of rabies is unknown. Therefore, these animals cannot be confined and observed like cats and dogs for 10 days after biting someone and still ensure the protection of the bitten person. The period of time between exposure to rabies and developing the disease (the incubation period) is also not established for wolves or hybrids.
The Health Department has always considered hybrids to be wild animals when making decisions on rabies exposure cases.
The issue of wolf or other canine hybrids, such as wolf coyote, can be addressed by a local ordinance similar to one adopted in November 1995 by Montgomery County. This ordinance requires owners to apply for a permit, go through a public hearing and obtain a minimum of $250,000 in liability insurance. The ordinance further specifies the cage or enclosure to keep the animal. It also requires information on the background and experience of the owner to handle such an animal; the proximity of neighbors and livestock; and a list of all adjoining property owners.
Such an ordinance addresses both the public's safety and the responsibility of the owner. It also guards the animal's welfare by encouraging responsible ownership. It gives the public notice that hybrids cannot be treated as ordinary pets.
In recent years, 11 children have been killed by wolves or wolf hybrids. In researching these incidents, most of the animals were friendly to humans and had been around children. Being predators, the animals grabbed the children without warning, much as they would grab a prey. In some cases, the child may have moved in just the right way to stimulate killing behavior. Owners should be aware that wolf hybrids still have predatory instincts that can lead to unpredictable, aggressive behavior, especially as the animal reaches sexual maturity.
The liability and responsibility of owning such an animal should be stated at the time of purchase and be seriously considered by the owner. Localities have an interest in protecting their residents, and therefore, are adopting ordinances that prohibit such animals from populated areas.
J. Henry Hershey is director and V.B. Marcussen is environmental health manager of the New River Health District.
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