Wolf dog puppies found dumped in Prospect are illegal to own in Connecticut – WFSB

PROSPECT, Conn. (WFSB) – Two wolf dog puppies found dumped in Prospect have been sent to a sanctuary because owning them is illegal in Connecticut.
The four-month-old hybrid puppies, named Barnaby and Spartacus, were found in Prospect and then DNA tested. Their mother is a dog and their father is 100% wolf.
Prospect police are looking for their owners because it’s illegal to have wolf dogs in Connecticut.
Zilla Cannamela from Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates said the animals have distinct features that set them apart from regular dogs.
“When you see one, you know,” Cannamela said.
The puppies have longer snouts, massive size for their young age and a certain look in their eye. Cannamela said half of their genetics and behavioral traits come from a wild animal.
“They need space to run. Killing to them comes naturally, that’s how they eat. They’re not behaving badly, they’re just doing what their instinct tells them to do. So, if you have small animals in the home, and instinct takes over, what’s going to happen?” Cannamela said.
It’s not clear where the puppies came from. Cannamela thinks they might have come from states like Texas where breeding and owning these animals is legal.
“It’s not a fair breed to the animal. It’s not fair. These animals are brought up from states where it is legal to breed, like Texas,” Cannamela said.
Cannamela said wolf dogs are difficult to train and come with even more energy than regular dogs.
“Combining the two, they’re living in separate worlds in one body,” Cannamela said.
Emma Dzamko of New Haven, who owns a two-year-old German shepherd, said she was surprised by the size of the four-month-old puppies.
“I kind of thought maybe they brought the dire wolves to Connecticut,” Dzamko said.
Dzamko said she is sad to see they were dumped and not sure how anyone would take care of them when they’re full grown.
“They’re gigantic, but they’re adorable,” Dzamko said.
The two puppies have been taken to Howling Woods Farm, a sanctuary in New Jersey. They are happy, healthy and acting very wolf like.
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