To the Editor:
Hybrid wolves off Bristol’s Poor Farm Road is not a good fit for Bristol. Though a beautiful animal, hybrids are notorious escape artists. Wolves by nature are predatory and travel in packs. Therefore, the hybrids should not be in a residential area without a sufficient buffer between the wolves and the families with children, and domestic pets.
Online research on hybrids yielded a great deal of information of others who have introduced these sanctuaries on much larger spaces. It is strongly advised to have a one mile buffer zone surrounding the sanctuary. The Doughty property is not sufficient to provide such a buffer. A larger piece of land, located in a more isolated area, not where a large percentage of Bristol’s school children reside, would be more suitable.
Under Maine law, hybrids at large more than five miles from their home are considered abandoned. They are to be killed, with the brain to be tested for rabies. Any hybrid who bites a human is to be killed, and again, tested for rabies. These animals cannot be given the rabies vaccine because it is ineffective.
There are enough problems the past several months with rabid animals in Bristol. We do not need to add to the problem.
Sandee Brackett, New Harbor
