Hot dogs help lure the last of the Moscow ‘wolves’

The “Moscow menagerie” is together again.

A pack of eight dogs that have been running loose since their owner was killed more than a month ago have been captured successfully and reunited at an animal refuge in North Anson, volunteer Ann MacMichael of Skowhegan said Tuesday.

Earlier this month, MacMichael, who is president of the Maine Wolf Coalition, was called to help find a home for a pack of “wolves” running loose in Moscow.

When she arrived, she discovered eight mixed-breed, yellow and white dogs that their former owner had attempted to sell as wolf hybrids. Some local people, afraid of the “wolves,” threatened to shoot them, said local volunteers who had been feeding the dogs for nearly a month.

Two weeks ago, the volunteers, with help from Aimee Crosby of the Loki Clan Wolf Refuge, captured six of the dogs and verified that they are not wolf-hybrids before taking them to the In the Shadow of His Wings Animal Refuge in North Anson.

“They needed a place to go … it’s not their fault,” said shelter owner Wendy Dawes.

After several failed attempts, the volunteers finally captured the last two dogs, an adult named Lightning and a puppy named Dusty, last Thursday by feeding them hot dogs laced with a sedative.

“I’m so relieved to see them reunited,” MacMichael said. “It didn’t take them two seconds to give [the newcomers] a royal welcome.”

Then on Friday two of the dogs, Rosie, who was obviously pregnant, and Shena, who was a total surprise, delivered puppies.

“The puppies were coming fast and furious,” MacMichael said.

Shena had four puppies, but only one survived the weekend. Rosie has been keeping her distance from the other dogs, but Dawes believes she has five healthy puppies.

MacMichael hopes that all 14 of the dogs can eventually be settled into new homes. Though they still fear collars, leashes and cars, the dogs have settled in at the shelter and are very friendly, she said.

One dog has been spoken for, a female named Aphrodite, but the others are still available.

“If the right person comes along, they’re going to be just fine,” MacMichael said.

For more information about adoption, contact Dawes at 635-3025. The shelter is also in need of igloo-style doghouses, puppy food, and funds to spay or neuter the dogs. The Franklin Somerset Federal Credit Union is accepting donations for the dogs’ care. Checks made out to The Moscow Dog Fund can be mailed to the credit union at 26 Leavitt St., Skowhegan, ME 04976.