(Around 50 wolf hybrids were left homeless when their owner died this past weekend. -- Courtesy photo from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.)
Note: This interview with Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse was recorded Wednesday, July 1.
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By Michael V. Hannigan
A death investigation this past weekend led to a unique situation for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
While the investigation did not show signs of foul play in the death, there were dogs. And not just any type of dog.
“They are hybrid wolves and he’s got a lot of them,” said Hillhouse.
The Sheriff said there were about 50 dogs in different enclosures. The dogs are healthy and were well taken care of, he said.
“We’ve been working since Saturday with the SPCA, the Black Beauty Ranch, with our animal shelter here in Athens,” Hillhouse said. “Being that they are wolf hybrids, most people can’t take them and most rescues won’t take them.”
The Sheriff’s Office has been contacting wolf rescue organizations to try and place the animals, but it hasn’t been easy.
“When you talk about having to pick up 50 wolf dogs and place them, it is a major ordeal,” Hillhouse said.
Hillhouse said some of the dogs look like German Shepherds at first glance, but said you can see the differences.
“When you really look at them and look at their heads and faces you can tell,” he said. “Initially, you look at their coloring and say, ‘That’s a German Shepherd,’ but when you really look over them you're like no, that’s really not.”
Hillhouse said another wolf rescue was expected to visit Henderson County Wednesday.
“I am hoping we can have these dogs placed by next week,” he said.
Other News
Sheriff Hillhouse reported that another jailer has tested positive for COVID-19.
He said this particular jailer works in a control room, so doesn’t interact with many people and does not interact with the prison population.
You can listen to that part of the interview starting at 2:18.
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