In Wahnapitae, Greater Sudbury, a resident successfully rehomed his group of 16 wolf-dog hybrids following a directive from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) declaring the animals illegal in Ontario. The owner, Bryton Bongard, faced the possibility of seizure by MNR officers in September but was concerned about the fate of his pets, fearing they might be euthanized.
Fortunately, an agreement was reached between Bongard and the MNR, leading to the decision to relocate the wolf-dogs to a new sanctuary near Sudbury. The exact location of the sanctuary has not been disclosed yet, but Bongard confirmed that all 16 animals will be transferred together.
While the sanctuary is still under construction, a contract has been signed with the MNR for housing the wolf-dogs. Bongard will maintain custody of the animals until the sanctuary is ready, with the permission to visit them once they are settled in. Initially, there were concerns about finding a suitable sanctuary within Ontario, but the decision was made to keep the wolf-dogs nearby for public education purposes.
Bongard expressed relief that a positive resolution was achieved, despite the emotional decision to part with his beloved wolf-dog hybrids. He also mentioned paying a $5,500 fine as part of the process but affirmed that he does not regret owning the animals.
Overall, Bongard is optimistic about the future and the well-being of his wolf-dog hybrids, now that a clear plan has been established in collaboration with the ministry. The situation serves as a cautionary example for others regarding the regulations around owning such animals in Ontario.