Hybrid Wolf Dog Suspected Culprit in Massacre of 14 Calves

Nov 15, 2012

Dairy Farmer Near Caledon Ontario Loses 14 Calves In Wild Killing

A dairy farmer near Caledon, Ontario found 14 of his calves slaughtered on Wednesday morning and the suspected culprit - what experts are calling a hybrid wolf dog was killed around 2p.m. on Wednesday.

Although it hasn`t been confirmed that the hybrid animal killed the calves, experts have said that the size of the animal corresponds with the attack. It`s believed that the animal is a cross between a mix of either a dog such as a German Shepherd or Husky with either a wolf or a coyote. Tests are being run to ensure that the animal didn`t have rabies. The animal in question was found several hours later with a collar on and appeared to be malnourished and looked to be domesticated.

Phil Leslie, Caledon dairy farmer of Alluvialdale Farms found some of his dairy cows with scratch marks on their legs and the calves dead with some of their back exposed. Leslie found the calves lying in the pasture and some scattered in the yard and barn. Only six of the remaining calves survived. The calves weighed between 200-300 pounds each. The monetary loss is around $10,000, not including the costs of deadstock disposal.

The community of Caledon is asked to report any suspicious or stray animals by calling either the Town of Caledon Animal Control at (905) 857-5208 or Caledon OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.