Post by Brooke on Apr 1, 2004 22:50:52 GMT -5
Wolf Found Wandering In Philadelphia
Police Thought Animal Was Dog
POSTED: 8:00 am EST March 30, 2004
UPDATED: 8:49 am EST March 30, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia police got quite a surprise when they arrived to pick up what they thought was a stray dog last weekend. The pooch was actually a wolf.
Slideshow: A Wolf In Dog's Clothing
Video: Wolf Found In Philadelphia
Someone spotted what they thought was a big dog around 4 a.m. Saturday, wandering near Delaware Ave.
The animal was a little too big for police to handle alone so they called in animal control officers, who were able to corner and capture the animal.
When they got the animal back to the shelter, they realized it was no dog.
“We've handled other rare breeds, alligators, hawks, falcons, this is our first wolf,” said George Stem from Philadelphia Animal Care Control.
It was Linda Thomas's first wolf as well. She was working at the Mobil gas station when the wolf appeared across the street.
“We thought it was a big dog at first and then someone got close enough and saw it was actually a wolf,” said Thomas. “I actually thought somebody was going to hurt it, because first thing when people see a wild animal, they'll try to destroy it.”
There are no plans to destroy the animal. Animal Control officers are hoping to find a place that can provide the proper habitat for wolves, which is not the city of Philadelphia. It is actually illegal to own a wolf in the city except under strict regulations.
Officials say a man did show up to claim the wolf. He claims he bought the animal when it was a puppy. It is not clear if he knew the animal was a wolf when he purchased it. But officials say he is not likely to get the wolf back since he lives in Philadelphia.
Officials say the wolf appears to be very young and is as fragile as a puppy right now, but he may not be as docile. “The older it gets, it could go back to becoming a wild animal,” said Stem.
Police Thought Animal Was Dog
POSTED: 8:00 am EST March 30, 2004
UPDATED: 8:49 am EST March 30, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia police got quite a surprise when they arrived to pick up what they thought was a stray dog last weekend. The pooch was actually a wolf.
Slideshow: A Wolf In Dog's Clothing
Video: Wolf Found In Philadelphia
Someone spotted what they thought was a big dog around 4 a.m. Saturday, wandering near Delaware Ave.
The animal was a little too big for police to handle alone so they called in animal control officers, who were able to corner and capture the animal.
When they got the animal back to the shelter, they realized it was no dog.
“We've handled other rare breeds, alligators, hawks, falcons, this is our first wolf,” said George Stem from Philadelphia Animal Care Control.
It was Linda Thomas's first wolf as well. She was working at the Mobil gas station when the wolf appeared across the street.
“We thought it was a big dog at first and then someone got close enough and saw it was actually a wolf,” said Thomas. “I actually thought somebody was going to hurt it, because first thing when people see a wild animal, they'll try to destroy it.”
There are no plans to destroy the animal. Animal Control officers are hoping to find a place that can provide the proper habitat for wolves, which is not the city of Philadelphia. It is actually illegal to own a wolf in the city except under strict regulations.
Officials say a man did show up to claim the wolf. He claims he bought the animal when it was a puppy. It is not clear if he knew the animal was a wolf when he purchased it. But officials say he is not likely to get the wolf back since he lives in Philadelphia.
Officials say the wolf appears to be very young and is as fragile as a puppy right now, but he may not be as docile. “The older it gets, it could go back to becoming a wild animal,” said Stem.