A man in the Greater Sudbury, Ont., community of Wahnapitae says his wolf-dog hybrids have found a new home.
Last month, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) told Bryton Bongard he couldn’t keep the pack of 16 wolf-dogs he’d owned since 2021 because they are illegal in Ontario, and officers would be back in September to seize them.
At the time, Bongard said he was not told what would happen to the animals after they were seized and he feared they’d be euthanized.
Bongard, who lives on a rural property where he built a large enclosure for the wolf-dogs, now says the MNR has agreed to spare the animals and they will be taken to a new sanctuary centre being created near Sudbury.
“All 16 dogs are going together to the sanctuary and it is within driving distance to Sudbury,” said Bongard.
“They have not informed me of exactly where the sanctuary is yet, but that will come out at a later date.”
Bryton Bongard lives in rural Sudbury, Ont., with his pack of 16 wolf-dog hybrids. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is expected to seize them next month because owning hybrids is illegal in the province. Bongard says he’s willing to surrender his pets, but he’s worried they’ll be euthanized instead of moved to a sanctuary.
He added the sanctuary has signed a contract with the MNR to house the animals, but the enclosure they are making is still being built. He said that until the sanctuary is ready to take the dogs, he will retain custody of them and has been given permission to visit the pack once they are moved.
Initially, Bongard was told there were no sanctuaries with capacity to take the wolf-dogs in Ontario and they may have to be moved across the country. He explained the MNR decided to keep them close by as a way to educate the public while punishing him.
“So now they can use them as kind of like an example for other people, like, ‘Here’s what their behaviours are, here’s what the dogs can do, here’s what’s going to happen to you if you get caught with these animals,'” explained Bongard.
He said he’s relieved the situation has been positively resolved, despite having to give up the wolf-dog hybrids.
“[I’m] very excited, very enthusiastic,” said Bongard.
“Now that I know what the plan is, now that we’ve all sat down and had this conversation, I feel much more comfortable with dealing with the ministry on the matter and working together in the future to help my animals go to a safer home.”
In addition to having to give up the animals, Bongard also had to pay a $5,500 fine. He said despite everything, he doesn’t regret owning the dogs.
CBC News previously asked the MNR about the rules around wolf-dog hybrids in the province and about what would happen to these animals after they’re seized.
“In general, it’s against the law to keep wild animals from Ontario as pets or to hold them in captivity,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement. “There are a few exceptions, which are carefully regulated under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. As this is an active case, MNR is unable to comment further.”
