A new law in Maine, which aims to reduce and control wolf hybrids in the state, is already in effect. The bill was passed as an emergency measure in May because "the keeping of wolf hybrids poses concerns for public safety."

According to the law, Mainers are now prohibited from raising new wolf hybrids unless they hold a valid permit to possess wildlife in captivity from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Maine law defines a wolf hybrid as “a mammal that is the offspring of the reproduction between a species of wild canid or wild canid hybrid and a domestic dog or wild canid hybrid."

Current wolf hybrid owners are required to license their animals in the town where they live. Wolf hybrids must be vaccinated for rabies, permanently identified by the state and neutered.

The Department of Agriculture will maintain a list of persons who currently own licensed wolf hybrids. Wolf hybrid owners must report the death of their pets to the Department within 30 days and report any transfers or sales of a wolf hybrid within 10 days.

Do you think the Maine Legislature was right to outlaw future wolf hybrid ownership?

Photo of a wolf hybrid by Flick user "Katie@!," CC 2.0.