The elusive wolf-dog known as WD-40 continues to roam and apparently expand his range in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area.

First reported in the Coombs area last fall, the animal has been sighted everywhere from French Creek to Qualicum Beach to Parksville.

It was reportedly released by an unidentified owner and there are numerous reports of attacks on domestic pets, including a French Bulldog at the Coombs Country Campground in November. The wolf-dog has been dubbed 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.

There is speculation now that multiple animals may be behind the sightings and attacks.

Gary Shade, co-founder of FLED (Find lost and escaped dogs), said he has received photos where the animalB次元官网网址檚 fur has a different colour pattern.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e seen a couple of pictures that just donB次元官网网址檛 look like him,B次元官网网址� he said, and added that some photos show black legs, contrasted with WD-40B次元官网网址檚 mostly tan legs. B次元官网网址淚t could have been the phone they were using to take a picture, I donB次元官网网址檛 know.B次元官网网址�

A Feb. 7 social media post placed the wolf-dog near Morningstar Creek and expressed concern the animal was looking B次元官网网址渟kinnyB次元官网网址�.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 not skinny looking. HeB次元官网网址檚 got a nice weight on him,B次元官网网址� said Shade. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 getting fed every day, the girlB次元官网网址檚 giving him really good, high quality dog food.B次元官网网址�

The animal has become comfortable with a volunteer who feeds him regularly.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檒l come up and he plays with her a bit. She canB次元官网网址檛 touch him. He kind of jumps around,B次元官网网址� Shade said.

He is concerned the wolf-dog will be killed, B次元官网网址渢hereB次元官网网址檚 a guy with a crossbow looking for him.B次元官网网址�

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Shade is also worried the volunteer will be harassed if identified.

FLEDB次元官网网址檚 goal is to transport it the wolf-dog to Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary in Cochrane, Alta.

Shade hopes the Conservation Officer Service (COS), which has so far indicated the animal is outside its jurisdiction, will assist.

An inquiry to sanctuary did not receive an immediate reply.

A baited trap previously monitored by local volunteers and FLED has not been active for months since it became clear the method was not working.

Coastal Animal Control Services of BC, contracted by the Regional District of Nanaimo, continues its effort to trap the wolf-dog.

MLA Adam Walker said the situation is B次元官网网址渉ugely disruptiveB次元官网网址�, particularly for the community members who want to walk the trails without fear.

B次元官网网址淭he real challenge is that this animal, early on, some of the attempts to trap it, you know, you had local community members that were interfering with some of the initial attempts to trap it,B次元官网网址� Walker said. B次元官网网址淪o, itB次元官网网址檚 very leery about being trapped or even having interactions with humans. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why they call it WD-40, itB次元官网网址檚 a very slippery animal thatB次元官网网址檚 very hesitant about being around humans.B次元官网网址�

Walker said he has brought the issue up with his colleagues at the Ministry of the Environment, but because itB次元官网网址檚 considered a domestic animal, COS is not involved, although the Province recognizes the impact it is having on the community.

HeB次元官网网址檚 heard from several residents who have encountered the wolf-dog, including one person who paid a $10,000 veterinary bill.

The animal turned up at WalkerB次元官网网址檚 property this winter, and he heard it make a barking/howling noise.

B次元官网网址淚t was in my neighbourB次元官网网址檚 yard in the morning and then my wife was doing something with the Christmas lights and saw it in the backyard,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd as you can imagine, itB次元官网网址檚 not a pleasant thing to look over and see.B次元官网网址�