Wolf-dog hybrid dies of rabies in Gray

PORTLAND – A wolf-dog hybrid that died last week at its home in Gray has tested positive for rabies.

Public health officials now are trying to figure out how many people may have been exposed to the animal. Those at risk include people who have been bitten or may have had its saliva come in contact with a cut or abrasion.

Neither state officials nor the veterinarian who treated the wolf-husky mix would identify its owner.

Wolf hybrids may be kept as pets in Maine. But the state epidemiologist, Dr. Kathleen Gensheimer, said they pose risks and no rabies vaccine has been proven effective for them.