A recent local case involving a wolf-dog hybrid animal caught the attention of Inyo Sheriff Bill Lutze. He has focused on the possibility of a new ordinance.
An incident in Lone Pine drew attention to the possibility of a wolf-dog which attacked another dog. State law says that first generation wolf-dog hybrids are regulated and permitted through the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Second generation hybrids are permitted, but cities and counties have the right to set up their own regulations. Sheriff Lutze said the case in Lone Pine involved checking the DNA of the animal. Reports of possible wolf-dogs in Independence were unfounded, according to the Sheriff.
As a result, Sheriff Lutze and others are looking into other counties’ “Vicious Dog” ordinances. State code does include a “Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs” law. That statute defines dangerous and vicious dogs and says any dog, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within a prior 36-month period is defined as potentially dangerous.
The process laid out in state law gives authority to the animal control officer or law enforcement officer to take action with problem animals and, if necessary, take the issue through the court process.
Sheriff Lutze will check out other cities and counties local laws for potentially proposing an ordinance here. Sheriff Lutze said in addition to wolf-dogs, some cities have banned pit bulls.
Dogs are not wolves. http://www.latinpost.com/articles/6035/20140116/dogs-and-wolves-not-as-genetically-close-as-thought.htm Dogs and wolves had a common ancestor somewhere from 11,000 to 34,000 years ago, but aren’t as closely related as previously thought, new research says. A team of United States scientists have found the genetic overlap observed between some modern dogs and wolves resulted from… Read more »
I heard a wolf came to California in 2011 for the first time since the early 1920’s. Anybody know if it’s still here?
That wolf’s range is on the Cali/Oregon border. It travels back and forth between the two states.
I lived next to two wolf/dogs briefly…they were not dogs. They didn’t exhibit dog behavior. They acted like wolves. They moved differently then dogs, they more slunk around. no barking at all, only howling sometimes. They avoided contact with humans. They were gigantic too with fairly long thick coats. At… Read more »
Pits, Rottweilers, doberman pinschers, German shepherds and all of those other so-called dangerous breeds have all gotten bad wraps because of humans. Macho dog and macho man is a bad mix. Idiot dog owners that allow their dogs to bark all night and all day, it’s not the dogs fault… Read more »
My dog regularly plays with a wolf hybrid but that dog was brought up with training and love. Can we get a law in mono county that 20 something year old dudes can’t own pits? It’s an epidemic
I heard Mammoths Sheriff can make anything sit and stay.
Even you? Lets test that.
….IMO,this one is a tough call…..I think I might know this dog…..VERY big,but always has been friendly with me.Years ago,in Oregon,I had a dog off-leash attack my cock-a-poo on a fishing trip,and if it happened again,I would be much more prepared to defend my dog I have now with “lethal… Read more »
I own 2 wolf dogs and I also am an educator for this breed. There are not bad dogs. ..it’s bad owners. I respect all breeds but am actually more cautious with little ankle biters but you never see them listed on the BSL. Education is the key.
Agreed. When walking my dog it is the psycho-chihuahuas that give us more trouble than the larger breeds. The wolf dog depicted in the video is a beautiful creature.
Inyo County has one of the best Animal Shelters in the state, if not the best. I think the lady running our shelter is more knowledgable and much more qualified to speak on this matter. I like Sheriff Lutze , but I don’t like the idea of new laws that… Read more »
“PUNISH THE DEED, NOT THE BREED”.
Mongo’s DOG never leaves his side to run amuck or do anything “unprovoked”. Recently a dog attacked Mongo’s leashed dog when he and Mongo were on a “health” walk. Mongo sends a special thanks to the lady who pulled over to tell Mongo he was overreacting while he was kicking… Read more »
I hear you Mongo. I carry a big three battery Maglite for exactly such encounters. “My daughter” is always in a harness and leash under my direct control, but some neighbors are not so concerned about the safety of their dogs or apparently socializing them.
Good for you DT!
Also, watch out for people who put their animals in harms way by letting them run amuck.
It’s not the animals fault.
Try YouTube, there are some pretty good attack dog videos that can give you an idea of what you are up against.
I used to work as a bouncer at a major sports and concert venue. I have seen a police dog in action on a guy four of our bouncers and two cops could not subdue. This one bit right into the guys cookies and shook his head. I still wince… Read more »
Yep, Its that first bite that can send you into shock.
You got to be ready for it.
I agree. Don’t punish all dogs and down owners over one bad apple. BSL’s don’t ever really benefit any one.
Do you have a fool proof way of telling which dog is going to bite someone? Have you ever been bitten by a big dog? It hurts. And one bite can ruin a limb for the rest of your life. And you want to give people an opportunity to own… Read more »
So what exactly is a “dangerous dog” Ken? You cannot with any degree of honesty claim that one or more specific breeds are always and forever dangerous. Any breed of dog can bite. Any breed of dog can produce a gentle soul that just wants hugs. The solution to dangerous… Read more »
Also, state law describes behavior in the dangerous dog code, not breeds.
BK
DT: you always want accuracy in posts. Yet you imply that I said “breed”. Read my post again. I said DOG. You need to be more accurate in your posts. But a Wolf/Dog hybrid is not a dog. It is a wolf that has some canine DNA. And why would… Read more »
I have been bitten too Ken. Waiting on the quarantine period for the dog was the source of the greatest difficulty for me. The bite healed fine but for weeks afterwards I was checking to see if the dog had croaked or not, worried sick I should get the rabies… Read more »
“But a Wolf/Dog hybrid is not a dog.” WRONG. Wolves and dogs are the same species. Dogs are domesticated wolves. “And why would anyone want an animal like that?” Because they are magnificent creatures. “Dogs — and Wolf/Dog hybrids bite people.” Yes, they both may bite people, as you just… Read more »
Right, dogs don’t bite people — owners do. Grow up! https://thereal395.com/28074/wolf-dog-dangerous-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-49057 Yes, wolf hybrids can be trained like other dogs, however once they grow tired of the “game” they may stop listening. This is the difference between a wild animal and a domesticated one. Wolves re-establish their dominance whenever they… Read more »
Use this URL:
http://www.dogguide.net/blog/2008/02/facts-about-wolf-hybrids-dog-or-danger/
These statistics are cute, but the problem won’t go away with the dog breeds. The biggest problem with pit bulls and similar breeds is the losers who flock to them. They don’t know how to train or deal with dogs properly, and frequently foster aggressive behavior from their dogs (compensating… Read more »
Own any breed or cross you want as long as I can kill it if it’s on my property unleashed. Why would anyone want a wolf cross unless they had a full time dogsled team or lived backcountry 90% of the time? Most people can’t even take care of potted… Read more »
Pedro- People always want to have things that others don’t or they think it’s cool or a status symbol. Unfortunate for the animals of the world.
Breed specific bans should not ever be permitted. Maximize opportunities for dog owners to participate in the SPCA Canine Good Citizen program, which is as much about training the dog owner as it is training the dog.
I have to agree(and it’s not easy) with DT. It is not the breed of dog that causes trouble and attacks. It is the lack of training and abusive tendencies of the people that own these animals. There are many people out there that have no business having any animals.… Read more »
I have a sweet female husky and on occasion I am asked if she is a wolf, or on a couple of other occasions heard bystanders say to one another in a low voice “look, a wolf”. . “My daughter” is on the small side for a husky. A real… Read more »
How is your comment relevant? Wolves are not a breed of dog.