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A man living near Wahnapitae, Ont., in Greater Sudbury, is worried about the fate of his pets after their expected government seizure next month.
Bryton Bongard lives on a rural property, where he has built a large enclosure for his pack of 16 wolf-dog hybrids. In 2021, he got them as puppies from a friend who said they may be part wolf, though Bongard never looked into their lineage.
What he has since learned is that in Ontario, owning wolf-dog hybrids is illegal. Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is now involved, and Bongard said he’s expecting the ministry to seize his animals in September.
But it’s not the seizure that troubles Bongard. He’s worried about what will happen to his dogs afterward, since he said MNR has not told him what their fate will be. Bongard said he’s worried the animals will be euthanized instead of re-homed.
“I have no problem with the penalties. I know I broke the rules. And yeah, I’ll pay a fine. I’ll help move my dogs. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure my dogs are safe and healthy,” he said.
CBC News asked the Ontario MNR about the rules around wolf-dog hybrids in the province, and about what will happen to these animals after they’re seized.
“In general, it’s against the law to keep wild animals from Ontario as pets or to hold them in captivity,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement. “There are a few exceptions, which are carefully regulated under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. As this is an active case, MNR is unable to comment further.”
Wolf-dogs kept in large enclosure
Bongard’s enclosure measures roughly 35 metres by 35 metres. The wire fencing is 2.5-metres tall with barbs on the top, as well as a metal apron underground to prevent the animals from digging out.
Within the enclosure are some covered shelter areas, as well as small perches for the animals to climb upon. When Bongard enters with food and treats, such as eggs, the dogs excitedly approach with tails wagging.
Bongard said he hears largely positive comments from his neighbours about the animals, and he invites people to meet the pack by appointment.
The wolves have had some litters over the past few years, some of which he has already surrendered to the ministry. He said all of his animals have since been spayed or neutered so they will not have further litters.
Keeping hybrids ‘doesn’t really work out’: retired biologist
The DNA of wolf-dog hybrids makes them less suitable as pets when compared to domesticated dogs, said retired wildlife biologist Dean Cluff. Cluff lives in Sudbury and worked with wolves in Northwest Territories during his career.
“It doesn’t really work out for the most part,” he said. “They’re basically unpredictable.”
Cluff said that while the animals may appear friendly and well socialized, they tend to follow a pack hierarchy that can shift over time, especially if something should happen to their owner.
Cluff said wild wolves can travel 80 kilometres or more in a day, and it’s hard to say whether wolves and hybrids born into captivity may still have that urge to roam.
Re-homing hybrids difficult
Bongard said he’s called sanctuaries across the country, many of which are full or not interested in taking wolf-dog hybrids.
Cluff said the challenges in re-homing these animals include transportation, building a big enough habitat for them, and the ongoing costs of maintaining their health and diets. Because of those issues, he said, sometimes it becomes a more humane option to euthanize the animals.
Bongard has offered to pay for the costs of moving the animals, but finding places for 16 wolf-dogs may be the bigger challenge. One of the few places in Canada that specializes in wolf-dogs is Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary in Alberta. They reportedly told Bongard they are already at capacity and can’t accommodate his animals.
Bongard said he has asked the Ontario MNR about turning his own property into a sanctuary, but does not expect the ministry to support that plan.
