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Roaming Vancouver Island wolf-dog WD40 continues to evade capture

Experts skeptical baited-trap method can work, push for COs to get involved
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A wolf-dog hybrid is roaming a rural area between Coombs and Errington for several months. (FLED photo via Facebook)

One of two traps remains active for a roaming wolf-dog hybrid in the Coombs area, with the second no longer in use.

Coastal Animal Control of B.C. confirmed it has a trap set on private land, but would not reveal the location.

A trap formerly monitored by FLED (Find lost and escaped dogs) and local volunteers is no longer active, according to Gary Shade, FLED co-founder.

FLED said it pulled out of the search because its members are not experienced with wolf-dogs, and had relied on experienced volunteers such Colleen Rowe.

Rowe, who has 15 years of experience rescuing and fostering wolf-dogs, said it became obvious over time that the trap method was not working.

The wolf-dog was seen multiple times trying to figure out a way to get the bait food without entering the trap, according to Rowe. The dog has been nicknamed WD-40 because it has proven so difficult and B次元官网网址渟lipperyB次元官网网址 to catch.

The effort was further complicated by people repeatedly triggering the trap, removing signs advising of the animalB次元官网网址檚 presence and letting their dogs eat the bait food, she added.

At least three dogs have reportedly been injured by the wolf-dog, and one was killed on Nov. 25 at Coombs Campground.

Oceanside RCMP responded that morning, when a family said their French Bulldog was killed by the wolf-dog.

B次元官网网址淚n the interest of public safety, an officer attended the area and searched for the animal, but it was not located,B次元官网网址 said Sgt. Shane Worth in an email to the PQB B次元官网网址.

Tommy GarrisonB次元官网网址檚 dog Gus reportedly spent four days at Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Nanaimo after an incident in a wood lot in Virginia Estates on Oct. 12.

RCMP have had conversations with Coastal Animal Control of B.C., B.C. Conservation Service and the Regional District of Nanaimo, but police are not leading the investigation into locating the animal, Worth added.

The animal was reportedly released by an owner and has been spotted numerous times since late August in an area stretching from Springhill Road to Coombs Country Campground B次元官网网址 more than seven kilometres away.

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Gary Allan is the owner/operator of SWELL Wolf Education Centre in Nanaimo and does not believe itB次元官网网址檚 possible to trap WD-40.

Not only are wolves highly intelligent, he explained, they are also very sensitive to changes in their environment and extremely avoidant of being contained.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e not gonna trap this animal, itB次元官网网址檚 way too smart,B次元官网网址 he said.

Rather than using a baited trap, Allan said, authorities should lure in WD-40 with a road kill deer in a clearing, and then hit it with a tranquilizer dart.

Allan added he is aware B.C. Conservation Service (COS) has said the wolf-dog does not fall under its jurisdiction, but he hopes COS will become involved.

B次元官网网址淭his wolf-dog does not need to be destroyed,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淩emember, it did not ask to be relocated.B次元官网网址

The B次元官网网址檚 website directs residents who encounter aggressive dogs or dogs at large to at 1-888-754-1397 or cacs@telus.net.



Kevin Forsyth

About the Author: Kevin Forsyth

As a lifelong learner, I enjoy experiencing new cultures and traveled around the world before making Vancouver Island my home.
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