Maine Law: Eliminate Wolf Dog Hybrids

Published October 10, 2011

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A new Maine law is aiming to eliminate wolf dog hybrids as domestic pets.

According an article posted by the Washington Examiner, a new Maine law is aiming to eliminate the ever-controversial wolf-dog hybrid.

The article says that a new Maine law requires owners to possess a special wildlife-in-captivity permit if they're going to keep their wolf-dog hybrids, and, if they own them, they must have them neutered. The law is designed to ensure that the breed's visibility in homes throughout the state fades over time.

Proponents of the law argue that wolf-dog hybrids have been responsible for a number of attacks around the country, and allege that they are animals that belong in the wild. They say that the cross-breed between wolves and dogs is a predatory creature not to be domesticated.

Senator David Trahan, who sponsored the bill to outlaw them, said, "Wolf hybrids are not pets."

But are they? Whether or not wolf-dog hybrids make good pets has been the subject of debate for some time.

And those who own them sing a different tune. They say that the overall nature of an animal and its tendency towards violence depends on the owner and how they raise their pet. All wolf-dog owners, as a result, shouldn't be penalized for the actions of a few.

So what do you think? Is Maine right in outlawing wolf dog hybrids? Or can these wolf dog hybrids make good pets? Is Maine guilty of breedism? Let us know your thoughts in a comment!

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Ryan Karpusiewicz Ryan Karpusiewicz is the Assistant Editor, Lifestyle, for Digital Works @ NBC U, whose main…

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Comments (4)

Anonymous (Unverified)
My wolf hybrid is the most amazing dog you could ever have! She is so submissive an loves people to much she gets so excited when she meets new people! Its all in how there raised! I went to Guatemala once and in this one town there were these wild dogs not wolves but just wild mangy mutts! An they would attack any person who came near them just because they were a wild dog wolves can be domesticated animals if there raised from birth bye humans! It makes me sick absolutely sick how people view wolves! We're all raised on these stupid story's like the big bad wolf an grow up fearing these beautiful animals its sad really! There's been more attacks/killings bye domestic dogs than wolves! An there's never been a wolf killing in the u.s! These wolf hybrids can be the most amazing dogs! There highly intelligent family oriented dogs! They should not be out lawed but maybe instead something could be done about there upraising! A lot of the wolfs attitude comes from how the breeder raises them. The best wolf hybrid pets are the ones that are seperated at birth from there usually non-demestocated parents an hand raised bye humans! We have ruined these beautiful animals slaughtering them making clothing out of them! There's ways to co exist with these animals but people don't care to try!
Taylor (Unverified)
Wolf hybrids are not dangerous unless they were raised the wrong way... and who cares if people keep a wolf in their own home its their house not yours... I think Maine's people who come up with laws like this need to stay out of people's business. It not hurting anyone to have wolf there just like every other dog.. And by the way I had a wolf and it was the best dog I have ever had and on top of that it was also the smartest... so before you go and speech your opinion do some research and just don't be follower and believe the bullshit u watch on t.v.
Anonymous 1 (Unverified)
Wolfdogs are not dangerous to humans unless tied down or restricted in a small confined space and subsequently approached by a stranger. Otherwise, they are as any other domestic canine, designed to be well socialized and trained. Legislation continues to become more restrictive on ownership unfortunately based on stigma, monetary gain, myth and ignorance. German Shepherds were initially bred with wolves making most police, service, companion and therapy dogs just as dangerous as wolfdogs. The fact is, after centuries of willful effort to erradicate them, wolves are naturally leary of humans. They have been poisoned, trapped and shot to near extinction. No one knows the actual number of wolves left after being recently removed from fed'l protection. Wild and pure wolves do not attack humans. They deliberately avoid us smelling us 6 miles away. If our lawmakers continue to harrass the wolf and those who love and appreciate them, we really ought to start poisoning and trapping, wounding and slaughtering all of our bomb sniffing military and public servant service dogs, private and public as well, for these, too, are descendents of the wolf. Let the ecosystem heal. We need the very thing others desparately desire you to fear. With one 'wolf kiss' you will despise those who kill them and every reason they justify it.
disonba3 (Unverified)

NO! NO! NO! Wild wolves, raised in captivity, depending on the human interaction with the pup. can produce the most tame, doicle dog there is, I know this as I raised one from the infant stage. These hybreds are no more dangerous than any other dog who someone has made mean by the way they were raised. You raise a dog to be mean, he will be(IE- pit bulls)If you raise them with love, strict training & a lot of love, you will have one of the best, most loyal dogs of all!

Anonymous (Unverified)

I know a wolf dog hybrid. A pet of a friend. Wolves are naturally pack animals. Only one male and one female of each pack is aggressive. The animal I am acquainted with is a submissive. If a stranger tries to pet him he runs away and hides, he is not neutered. He couldn't possibly live in the wild, he would starve.