The peace and quiet in St. Clair Township was shattered on Friday October 12th when the cries of Marcie Montalov's pet goats could be heard as a wolf hybrid attacked and a German shepherd circled the family's pets.
"They were part of the family is what they said and it's sad to see that loss. It sad to see anybody lose anything especially a pet like that," said St. Clair Township Officer Jim Briggs.
Officer Briggs says another officer, who had responded to the 911 call for help at the home on Gipner Street, made a split second decision no officer wants to make; to use deadly force to defend himself.
"Patrolman Mick grabbed a hold of the one goat that was obviously still alive and as he was pulling it away out of the yard to where the house was at , this wolf, we later found out it was full blooded wolf, did charge the officer," Briggs said.
Police tell 21 News that the goat died, but the situation could have been much worse.
"The bite of a pit bull or even a German shepherd you're talking a thousand pounds per square inch. You get a child and that gets a hold of a kid, the consequences. These people need to be a little bit more responsible with their pets," Briggs said.
The previous night in St. Clair Township, and on other occasions, Liverpool police have responded to calls of roaming wolves but did not find them. The one dog that fled the area was a German shepherd and remains on the loose.
The owner of the hybrid wolf on Dome Street says his heart goes out to the family who lost their pet. He said he would make full restitution.
James Moore told 21 News the wolf hybrid escaped from him. But minutes later, after telling us to leave and to not do a story, he claimed the hybrid was not his.
Allowing dogs or wolf hybrids to run lose can result in misdemeanor charges or more serious criminal charges depending on the damage done.
(WFMJ - Nov 1, 2012)
