Owner of wolf-dog hybrids fined in Sudbury court

Playing null of undefined

Ont. wolf-dog owner fined, but animals spared

MNR to seize 16 hybrid wolf-dogs in northern Ont. on Tuesday

Ont. man battles ministry to save his wolf-dogs from being put down

Bryton Bongard, the owner of 16 hybrid wolf dogs living in the Wahnapitae area, appeared in provincial offences court Monday to plead guilty to illegally possessing them.

Bongard said he has been told the animals will not be euthanized. Instead, they will move to an accredited facility.

Despite facing $5,500 in fines, he said he was happy because the wolf dogs seized by the Ministry of Natural Resources from his property will live together in an accredited, authorized care facility.

“I am ecstatic about that,” Bongard said.

“I love how the ministry has handled it at the end, where they finally come together to figure out a solution for my dogs -- and all my dogs are going to be kept together.”

“My biggest concern was separating my dogs -- that if you don’t do it in a proper way, the depression will, unfortunately, hurt the dogs,” he added.

After pleading guilty at an earlier appearance, Bongard was fined Monday for unlawfully keeping wildlife without authorization, making a false statement to a conservation officer and the unlawful purchase of wildlife.

His case started in 2021 when a friend gave him five puppies and told him they may be part wolf.

“I acknowledge I might not have done the right thing by not DNA testing my dogs,” Bongard said.

“I knew there were going to be consequences to my actions.”

The prosecutor declined an interview but told the court that although the animals have been seized by the MNR, they are under the care of Bongard until they are moved.

A home has been found for them and the relocation will happen within the next few months. No location was given.

“I have been told it is within driving distance to Sudbury,” Bongard said.

He was also given two years’ probation, with one of his conditions prohibiting him from possessing wildlife once the hybrid wolf dogs are removed from his property.

He still faces other charges under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which will be back before the courts in December.

CTV News reached out to the MNR, which replied that, since the case continues to be before the courts, the ministry is unable to provide further comment.