Hungry like the wolf-dog: one still missing | News

Residents on Grant Mountain are howling about neighbors having hybrid wolf-dogs as pets and the danger they pose to the community.

Court documents provided by Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer Bray, showed a Public Nuisance action was filed by her office in May of this year.

The complaint filed asked the court for “Declaratory and injunctive relief to abate a public nuisance of unlawful ownership of hybrid wolves, pursuant to ALA. CODE 6-5-120.”

The documents state that defendants Jimmy Harold Mance and Amanda Mance of Grant, “Unlawfully own several hybrid wolves and house said wolves in a fenced in area on their property in Grant. The property where the wolves are housed is on a road occupied by several residences. Defendants engage in the business of breeding and selling the hybrid wolves; therefore, the animals are not spayed or neutered. Defendants have acknowledged in the past that the hybrid wolves are 95% wolf; however, the State concedes that without proper testing it is not able to assert the amount of wild animal in the hybrid wolves. The hybrid wolves have been known by neighbors to be at large on several different occasions. In December 2023, (Jimmy) Mance was charged with Permitting Dogs to Run at Large. On April 24, 2024, Mance pleaded guilty as charged. The America Veterinary Association has released a statement that the AVMA strongly opposes the ownership of canine hybrids for companionship, other personal use, breeding, or commercial interests. Canine hybrids may constitute a significant hazard to human health, other animals’ species, and the environment.”

The court documents also state that the defendants were first made aware that they were violating Alabama law on February 6, 2024, and they have had ample time to cease ownership and possession of the hybrid wolves.

Neighbors of the defendants met with Bray at the District Attorney’s Office in January of this year to voice their concerns.

Documents state that Karen Cardwell requested a meeting with Bray to discuss the issues she has with her neighbors and the hybrid animals.

Her issues included the hybrid wolves running at large, escaping their enclosure, the animals coming into not only her and other neighbors yards but frightening them as well. Text messages to Cardwell from the defendants (Mance) showed him referring to the animals as “wolves” and acknowledged they have escaped their enclosure.

Cardwell said in the court papers she has seen the defendant have more than 15 hybrid wolves in their yard.

Chief Investigator Josh Gaskin and Special Investigator Jimmy Miller with the Marshall County District Attorney’s Office went to the defendants address to enquire about the hybrid wolves. Court documents show at the time of their visit the defendants were maintaining nine hybrid wolves on their property. Defendants admitted to owning, possessing, maintaining and selling the hybrid wolves. Defendant Amanda Mance said the hybrid animals are fed raw meat and fresh dead animal carcasses brought by hunters. They were informed by investigators they were violating Alabama law and instructed to cease ownership and possession of the hybrids. Certified letters from the District Attorney’s Office were mailed to the defendants and also hand delivered explaining they were in violation of the law.

There has been no documentation to show the defendants took any action until recently.

According to John Young, Assistant Chief Deputy at the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, a small dog was attacked early Wednesday morning by one of the hybrids.

Young said that three of the hybrids were loose at that time. Two have returned and picked up by animal control but one is still unaccounted for.

Young says to take caution if you encounter the hybrid.

“There is one still out there and if you spot it, call the county animal control. Keep a close eye on your small pets,” Young said. “First off, we believe based on the District Attorney’s research, it is illegal, and they do require special care. So, think before you attempt to breed and raise these animals.”

The Mances, owners of the hybrids, agreed to surrender the hybrids to animal control.

The animals will be housed in the county dog pound pending a court hearing.

A court hearing is set for July 10.

In the same area of Grant Mountain residences have also been asked to “be careful of werewolves.” Although there has been no documentation on a werewolf sighting,

Assistant Chief Young had this to say to put residents at ease, “We currently have had no reports of werewolves.”

If you come in contact with the remaining wolf hybrid or werewolf, contact Marshall County Animal Control or the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.