The wolf dogs have a history of escaping from the nine-acre property on which they live.
HOLLAND TWP. - Police shot one of three hybrid wolf-dogs that escaped from their pen on Spring Garden Road the day before Thanksgiving Day, township Police Chief John D. Harris, Jr. confirmed Tuesday.
A wolf-dog spotted in Holland Township (File photo)The dogs, owned by township resident Cliff Zager, escaped around midday on Nov. 23 and were spotted in the township around the area of Route 614 and south on Route 519 going towards Milford Borough, said Harris.
Harris said he shot one of the dogs on Thanksgiving Day at approximately 1 p.m. when it was tracked down in a wooded area near Route 614. The dog had been seen stalking a horse and killing a cat. It was also spotted eating at the carcass of a dead deer and had shown aggressive behavior, he said.
"Our main concern was that none of the dogs went after any residents, especially small kids," said Harris. "The dogs had not been fed and needed water. The public safety was our top priority."
Zager declined to comment Tuesday when contacted by NJ Advance Media, referring all questions to the police. He was issued summonses for allowing the dogs to run free and harboring vicious animals, said Harris.
One of the dogs returned home shortly after escaping, said Harris. A second dog returned home the morning after Thanksgiving Day, he said.
Wolf-dogs accounted for following escape
Zager, who has no wife or children and told NJ Advance Media previously the animals are his "non-human family," reportedly had 13 wolf-dogs on his nine-acre property in 2011.
After repeated escapes, Harris said the township made an agreement with Zager a few years ago that as a condition for not trying to take the dogs away from him, he wouldn't replace a dog once it died.
Harris said Zager has approximately a dozen dogs remaining.
"Moving forward, we're going to have to go through the court system," said Harris. "There's nothing legally we can do to say he has to get rid of them. We're going to continue to work with Cliff and figure something out so we can ensure the public's safety."
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.