Wolves attack family
Ganado residents went to Gallup home to buy hybrid pup

Tom Mesich pets on of his older wolf-hybrid dogs through the fence at his home on North Second Street Monday afternoon. Mesich was cited by Gallup Animal Control Officers after a family that came to the residence to buy a dog was attacked by the pack on Saturday. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — McKinley County Animal Control officers confiscated at least one of 14 hybrid wolves from a local breeder this weekend after his pack tore into members of a Ganado family.

Romie Calderon, an animal control officer, showed graphic photos of a Ganado family's injuries, which included bloody gashes that measured inches deep and serious bruising, to Gallup police officers who arrived at the home located at the 100 block of Second Street to cite 82-year-old Tony Mesich for 14 city code violations in relation to the incident.

Alvina Reid, 35; Gilbert Hoskiel, also 35, and 13-year-old Aldrin Hoskiel have been admitted into and later released fromGallup's Public Health Services for treatment since the attack on Saturday at 6 p.m.

"They went in for the kill," Cosey Balok, an animal control official, said. "These weren't minor injuries at all."

Mesich, a well-known breeder in the area, reportedly invited the family inside his wire fencing that surrounds the residence to view the hybrid wolves. But as Mesich shut the gate, the animals lunged toward the family and began biting.

Balok said Reid and Gilbert Hoskiel positioned their bodies in between the wolves and their 13-year-old son to protect him from further injury. Hoskiel then lifted Reid and the boy over the fencing before climbing over himself.

Balok said the animals are a mixture of wolf and husky and their temperaments are not conducive to being a suitable pet.

"These are wild animals," she said. "You can't take the wild out of the animal."

Officers cited Mesich for 14 city code violations that include failure to posses a valid kennel permit to breed the dogs and for unsanitary housing conditions for the animals.

"A trash heap is what it is," Balok said of the animals' living conditions. "It's not fair to the animal to be put in a captive, unclean situation like that."

The dogs are also reportedly inbred, according to reports. Balok said Saturday's incident marks Mesich's most recent offense in a series that has spanned more than 15 years.

"He's just been grandfatherd in previously before these laws existed," she said.

When approached by animal control officials, Mesich refused to sign the citations and called their allegations "bull****." He challenged bystanders to deem the fenced-in-area unclean and said the hybrid wolves are well-fed and housed. But after some persuasion, he agreed to the sign the citations.

He also said the McKinley County Animal Shelter's conditions are worse than the ones he provides for his animals.

He said the hybrid wolves protect him from intruders and are "just like kids." He called them one by one over to the gate's opening to introduce them to bystanders. Laura Silva, owner of Taylor Bear Flower's, said she's been complaining about Mesich's animals for years and most recently complained to the Environmental Protection Agency.

She said Mesich dumped the dogs' feces in the alleyway until he was cited recently. She also said nearby business owners do not open their windows because of the smell caused by the dogs.

"I've seen them out there eating stuffing from a couch because they have no real food." Silva said.

She also said at least one escape a week is a common occurrence for the neighborhood and fears for Saint Francis School's students' safety. The school is located about 50 feet from Mesich's residence.

Mesich will be summoned to appear in magistrate court regarding the alleged offenses and criminal charges are pending.