A Stephens County resident was cited on October 17 for illegally possessing and releasing a female wolf, according to Game Warden TR Dooley of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

The wolf, which had been unlawfully kept as a pet, was captured and transferred to a legally permitted facility for proper care.

The DNR reminds residents that many animals are illegal to own as pets in Georgia due to concerns over public safety and health. Wolves, like other wild animals, fall under this category because of the potential danger they pose when kept in captivity without proper authorization.

Just The Facts:

• Date: October 17

• Location: Stephens County

• Animal: Female wolf

• Action Taken: The individual responsible was cited, and the wolf was relocated to a legal facility.

In Context: Georgia has strict regulations about the possession of exotic and wild animals. Wolves, in particular, can pose significant risks due to their natural behaviors and potential to spread diseases, making their illegal captivity a serious concern for both public health and animal welfare.

For more information on prohibited animals in Georgia, residents are encouraged to visit the Georgia DNR website.

More Understanding: For those of you who for one reason or another own your own wolf or aspire to, or can’t quite grasp what the problem is with this, the Georgia DNR has a handy guide on their website to explain to you why it is illegal in Georgia to make certain wild animals your pets. You can read that here: https://gadnrle.org/legal-pets.