What could be the last wolf-German shepherd hybrid on the loose in Orange County was hit and killed by a vehicle on Monday, authorities said.
The dead animal was found on N.C. Highway 86 near Hillsborough and is believed to be "the last of the free-roaming wolfdogs in our area," Tenille Fox, a spokeswoman for Orange County Animal Services, said in an email to WRAL News on Tuesday.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Close to a dozen animals escaped from their enclosure in the Cedar Grove area of Orange County in early July. Eight were quickly recaptured, and a ninth was captured in mid-August.
"This dog appears to be the loose wolfdog that has been recently reported in our county," Fox said of the animal that was killed Monday. "We have not had any other sightings of these animals for a very long time."
Orange County Animal Services has spent close to $12,300 so far caring for the nine animals in custody, and even though it's illegal to own wolves or hybrids in the county, Fox said there are no plans to recoup that cost from the owner.
"We will not be seeking legal criminal charges or monetary payback," she said. "It has been determined that this would not be in the best interests of the dogs or the county, and it would likely result in more county expenses that may not be recovered."
Orange County Animals Services has been seeking a group to take custody of the animals, saying they cannot remain at the shelter long term. But the effort to move the animals hasn't been successful, and there's no word on how long they will continue to stay at the shelter.