Dog or wolf? Picture circulates online and many volunteer to kill animal

Many people in Pocatello have been asking themselves if a picture circulating on Facebook depicts a dog or a wolf. The picture was posted on the public page Save Western Life as a warning to people living near the Juniper Hills Country Club on South Bannock Highway.

Since it was posted on Thursday, the picture has been shared more than 200 times. While most of the shares and comments question if it’s a wolf, many comments are from people vowing to kill the animal if they see it.

Zach Lockyer, a wildlife manager with Idaho Fish and Game, said people can’t just kill a wolf if they see one, especially since wolves are classified as big game in Idaho.

“To legally harvest a wolf, you would need to have a hunting license, a wolf tag and you also would need to be in the appropriate season,” he said.

Another legal obstacle to shooting a wolf is being in Pocatello itself.

“When you’re in town, discharging a firearm is illegal within city limits,” Lockyer said. “When people are defending themselves or property, they’re justified to (use them).”

Since Pocatello is in southeastern Idaho, Lockyer said it is “extremely unlikely” that the picture shows a wolf. But, he said, whenever someone is are concerned about any wildlife, Fish and Game should be that person’s first point of contact.

Lockyer said there have been no reports of wolf sightings by homeowners in the area in which the picture was taken. He also said if there was a wolf, there likely would be more pictures than just the one being shared.