Senior administration with the Town of Osoyoos is going to conduct research over the next couple of months before deciding on whether or not to expand the list of restricted dogs in this community.

Under the current Licensing and Control of Dog Bylaw adopted in 1997, only pit bulls and variations of that breed have been deemed to be restricted dogs in Osoyoos.

A restricted dog means when the dog is off its own property, it must be leashed and muzzled at all times and when it is on its own property, it must be either indoors or in an enclosure outdoors.

Members of town council have been asked to identify a Timberwolf as a restricted dog following a request by a local couple who have safety concerns about the animal.

The complaining couple wrote a letter in early June stating another couple was about to move into their neighbourhood with their Timberwolf.

“The husband informed us that he breeds Timberwolves and his is the stud,” said the letter. “He warned that this type of animal is very protective and that no one will be able to go on his property once he moves in.

“This couple currently live in a rural area and said they will be taking over ownership of his mother’s house and property. The property in question is not fenced. When he comes to visit his mother, he often brings this animal and walks it on a very short leash.

“A Timberwolf is a wild animal. It is also known as the Grey Wolf and is under the jurisdiction of the BC Wildlife Branch. We spoke to two different wildlife officers with the department … both said that legally, one cannot breed Timberwolves and that likely this is a wolf-dog hybrid that the owner advertises as a Timberwolf. Both of them explained that the only way to tell if this animal is a canine or wild animal is with post mortem testing and examination.”

If the animal is a wolf-dog hybrid, it’s considered a canine and its habitat is controlled under the jurisdiction of the municipal government, said the letter.

A wildlife biologist added that in his 30 years of experience, he considers a wolf-dog hybrid “one of the most dangerous of all canines.”

“We are asking for the sake of public safety, that you will consider making a wolf-dog cross disallowed in Osoyoos or at least a restricted dog, which requires proper fencing and muzzling when off its property.”

Council agreed unanimously to have senior staff be directed to consider identifying the Timberwolf as a restricted dog at the same time the animal control bylaw is being required and re-written and that a bylaw amendment not proceed at this time.

Senior staff will prepare a report relating to the Timberwolf and also research some other dog breeds that could be on the restricted list and present that report to council in the next few weeks.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times