A Sudbury family has been given until November 20th to decide if their 6 year old pet Onyx will be euthanized or surrendered to a wolf sanctuary.
Why? Because Onyx’s ancestor 14 generations ago was a wolf.
Under Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, wolves (including hybrids) are classified as wildlife.
Therefore, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has told the family of Onyx that they have until November 20th to decide his fate.
Are wolves wildlife? 100%
But how should hybrids be classified?
Is there a set % of wolf DNA that sets a wolf apart?
Onyx was bought by this Sudbury family from a legitimate breeder 6 yrs ago as a puppy. In those 6 yrs, Onyx has lived as a domestic dog, a pet who lives inside the house.
Onyx has never shown any aggressive, wild dog or wolf like behaviours whatsoever.
The Ministry collected Onyx’s DNA but has refused to disclose his DNA makeup.
Onyx is 14 generations removed from being an actual wolf.
Laws are important, but so is judgement.
Is 1% of wolf DNA make it a wolf?
is 5% wolf DNA, 70% husky and 25% Labrador still make it a wolf?
Does 6 yrs of behaviour account for anything?
The family has been told by the wolf sanctuary that they are:
- At full capacity
- Due to Onyx’s life as a domestic dog, he could not live safely with wolves
We call on this government to use judgement and the science available. Set guidelines around DNA composition, set behaviour standards.
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