Alaska has become the protagonist of this story. Last autumn, the neighbours in Anchorage lived through a curious and unexpected story: a large, furry creature that looked like a wild animal appeared on their streets, but instead of generating fear (which is what usually happens in these cases), it became friends with everyone and won the affection of the whole town. They named it “Gary” and it ended up being part of the neighbourhood. Months later, after being found dead by the side of a road, a DNA test confirmed what many had already suspected: Gary was not a puppy, it was a hybrid between a wolf and a domestic dog. And although this was already suspected due to its appearance, the news shocked both scientists and the neighbours who treated it as one of their own.
The real Gary
Gary was found dead on October 7th, the victim of a car accident, and the authorities decided to perform a DNA test. They wanted to know, finally, exactly what that animal was that had been wandering the streets for months as if nothing was unusual.
Many residents had already suspected that Gary was not just any dog, and this was confirmed by the tests. Gary was a genetic cross between a wild wolf and a dog, something very rare, especially because we are talking about residential areas, and even more so considering it was an animal without an owner, without a chip, without a collar, and without anyone claiming it.
Where did it come from?
That is the big question, and for now, there is no answer. No one knows if it was born in the wild, if someone raised it, or if it escaped from somewhere. The only thing we know for sure is that it appeared one day in Anchorage and started moving around the city as if it had been there all its life.
No one reported its disappearance, nor were there any lost pet records that matched its appearance. Everything indicates that it arrived alone and found its place in this community, where it won the affection of the neighbours as if it were a stray dog… even though it wasn’t.
A wolf with a dog’s soul
The most surprising thing is that Gary did not show aggressive behaviour. On the contrary, those who knew him say he was friendly, calm, and even let strangers pet him.
Some neighbours say he used to stroll through the streets with complete normalcy, as if he knew no one would harm him there. And the truth is, no one did. His imposing appearance was not an obstacle for him to gain the trust of an entire neighbourhood.
Is it legal to have an animal like this?
In many states in the United States, owning hybrid dogs and wolves is regulated and even prohibited. These animals have wild instincts and therefore their behaviour is unpredictable, posing a risk at any moment.
In Gary’s case, he was not dangerous at any point. But his appearance has opened a new debate: how did such an animal end up in an urban environment without anyone detecting it beforehand? And more importantly: could this happen again?
An unexpected goodbye
The death of this “dog” has left a huge void in the neighbourhood. Maybe he didn’t have an owner because he had many owners, neighbours who cared for him, fed him, and felt him as part of their daily lives. In a way, Gary was the pet of the entire town.
Gary was not a dog. But he wasn’t a wolf either. He was a cross between two worlds that managed to find his place in a place where no one expected him. And although his story ended sadly, he left a real mark on those who knew him.
Science may continue searching for answers about how he ended up there, but for the residents of Anchorage, Gary is already part of their local history. His time was brief but enough to show that sometimes, even the wildest can find its place. And above all, appearances can be deceiving. Fly high, Gary!
ICYMI: Curiosity grew in Anchorage as a mysterious animal named “Gary” was spotted citywide. Sadly, he was hit by a car, and DNA tests will reveal if he was a dog or wolf hybrid.
READ THE FULL STORY: https://youralaskalink.com/homepage/is-a-strange-hybrid-animal-found-in-residential-area-n/article_60f9d130-698e-11ee-9a9d-3b3f60d77954.html
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