Alleged wolf-dog in Coombs reportedly shot and killed

The threat posed by a suspected wolf-dog that attacked a number of dogs, killing one in the Coombs area over the past eight months, appears to be over.

Some in the community are breathing a sigh of relief while many are wishing there had been another outcome.

Patty Biro used to feel safe walking her German shepherd in the community, before reports last fall of an alleged wolf-dog following people and attacking some dogs.

“It threw me off and I stopped walking the dog altogether cause I just didn’t want an altercation,” said Biro.

She did start walking her dog, Cano, on leash while carrying a dog repellent – but news that the alleged wolf-dog, nicknamed WD-40 for his slippery nature, is dead is reassuring.

“I wanted the dog to be captured, to be honest, and relocated,” said Brio. “I’m not expert on any of that. If he has been removed from the neighbourhood, dead or alive, I’m very relieved,” said Biro.

Greg Salmon, whose dog, Ocean, was attacked and killed by the wolf-dog in November tells CHEK News there were sightings of WD-40 the Easter weekend before he heard a gun shot the morning of Saturday, March 30.

Salmon says a few days later, a long time and reliable community member told him he had shot killed and buried WD-40 and there have been no sightings of the alleged wolf-dog since.

Salmon says the person doesn’t want to be identified because many in the community were hoping to capture WD-40 and see him rehabilitated.

“Without evidence I’m not sure that this actually happened,” said Leanne Salter, the area’s director with the Regional District of Nanaimo

Salter says she knows there were attempts to catch WD-40 prior to Easter that have ceased since this news. She says there needs to be some legislation, that has been proposed by the Union of BC Municipalities, to address hybrid wild-domesticated animals that currently sit in a jurisdictional void.

“At least put microchips in these pets, register them so if this happens and something does get loose, you’ll have a microchip. You’ll know where it is,” said Salter.

Biro says she and the neighbours she’s spoken to are feeling relieved and they’re now hoping to better enjoy the outdoors with their pets.

READ PREVIOUS:

• Believed-to-be wolf-dog attacks another dog in the Parksville area
• New sighting of wolfdog made near Parksville as efforts to catch it intensify: ‘It’s difficult’
• ‘Not his fault’: Mixed feelings for Coombs woman after encounter with wolf-dog

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