CRANDON, WI (WTAQ) – More than 40 animals have been taken to an emergency shelter after being seized from a Crandon property.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is aiding the Forest County Sheriff’s Office in removing 30 wolf-dog hybrids and 14 horses from a property that is involved in an animal cruelty investigation.
The female property owner was arrested on cruelty-related charges and additional charges could follow.
Authorities received numerous complaints from local residents about the owner breeding wolf-dog hybrids and also reports of those animals frequently escaping the property.
ASPCA officials say wolf-dog hybrids are the result of breeding a wolf with a domestic dog. They claim most of them end up being extremely timid and unpredictable, making them unsuitable and potentially dangerous pets.
Upon arriving at the property, responders found the wolf-dog hybirds were living in ‘deplorable conditions’ that included many of them being kept on chains without access to food or water. Some were suffering from medical problems.
Officials say other hybrids were found running loose on the property, which also contained deceased animals.
In addition, some of the horses were suffering from malnutrition and neglect.
“We’ve been concerned about these neglected animals for quite some time,” said Sheriff John Dennee with the Forest County Sheriff’s Department. “We wanted to make sure this case was handled properly and we cannot thank the ASPCA enough for their expertise and assistance in this investigation.”
“We’re stepping in because the basic mental, social and physical needs of these animals are not being fulfilled and they are suffering from a very poor quality of life,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “Our immediate goal is to remove these animals over the next few days and provide much-needed medical care and treatment at our emergency shelter.
The ASPCA plans to work through the weekend to establish humane traps to capture the loose wolf-dog hybrids and take them to emergency shelters. They also plan to provide care for and conduct behavioral evaluations on the animals until disposition is determined by the court.
In Wisconsin, people who own wolf-dog hybrids are required to obtain a license and meet minimum requirements for animal care, confinement, reporting, and record keeping. However, ASPCA officials say those regulations are largely unenforced.
