Five dogs born in Haines in February were confirmed this month to be part wolf, according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologist Carl Koch.
The state last month sent samples from six suspected wolfdogs to the University of California Davis for genetic testing. State wildlife managers have received results from five of the samples so far.
Some of the owners and the state suspected the animals were wolf hybrids after one registered as 50% wolf on a DNA home test. “Some of (dogs) were described as difficult to manage by their owners even back in June/July,” Kock said.
They reportedly had high energy, and one bit somebody, he said.
Wolfdog hybrids are illegal to breed or possess in Alaska. But dogs awaiting genetic test results are considered legal, even if they’re suspected hybrids. There was some worry among residents that if the test results came back positive, the state would seize the puppies and possibly euthanize them.
A Colorado organization that runs several wolfdog sanctuaries — in states where they’re legal — rescued six of the Haines dogs earlier this month. Fish and Game has been trying to locate all the dogs from the litter, at least 10.
Koch said the state’s priority is to find safe homes for any dogs that are part wolf. “The goal continues to be to help folks succeed in determining the status of their animals and find appropriate facilities for any that are in Alaska after the results come back (if they are hybrids),” he said.
It could be another five to eight weeks before the rest of the test results come back.
The litter’s owner, Sean “Seandog” Brownell, said he thinks the mother, Inja, a lab, could have mated with a wild wolf last December on or near his property at 35 Mile Haines Highway. Such an occurrence, according to biologists, would be very rare but not impossible.
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