DNA test confirms Warwick dogs mistaken for coyotes are part wolf. Here's how much.

Jack Perry, The Providence Journal
·2 min read

DNA tests have confirmed the two canids that caused a stir while roaming in Warwick last month are part wolf.

Bella and Libby, now Willow and Wily Coyote, were initially mistaken for black coyotes, but wolf-dog experts like Susan Vogt were convinced they were part wolf, based on their appearance and behavior.

Since wolf dogs are illegal in Rhode Island, the animals were captured and transferred to Vogt's wolf-dog rescue in Ohio, Red Riding Hood Rescue Project.

Vogt, co-founder and board president of the rescue, wasn't surprised that the DNA tests confirmed wolf genetics, but she was "very surprised" at the different percentages of wolf blood in the pair, which are believed to be sisters.

More: From on the run to the '401 Run': Ohio sanctuary readies to receive Warwick wolf dogs

Initially thought to be coyotes, apparent wolf dogs Bella and Libby, now Willow and Wily Coyote, created a stir when they were spotted roaming around Warwick over several days in April. Tests have confirmed they are part wolf. Photographer Scott Manne caught this photo at about 6:45 a.m. on April 19 off Seaview Drive in Oakland Beach. (Photo: Photo by Scott Manne)

What percent wolf are the two Rhode Island wolfdogs?

Willow, formerly Bella, is 45% gray wolf, while Wily Coyote, formerly Libby, is 57% gray wolf, according to the test results.

"They appear to be sisters but the discrepancy is higher than we expected," Vogt said in a written message. "We will see about running a relationship test but it really is only for our interest."

The results came back Tuesday, were posted to Facebook by the Warwick Animal Shelter and shared by the Red Riding Hood Rescue Project.

Noting that Wily Coyote's showed 57% wolf, the Warwick Animal Shelter wrote, "Well...can't say I am too surprised on this one ... based upon her behavior only (laughing emoji) mischievous girl."

Wily Coyote also showed 18.5% German Shepherd, 18.3% Alaskan Malamute and 6.2% Siberian Husky. Along with 44.5% wolf, Willow showed 27% German Shepherd, 23.4% Alaskan Malamute and 5.1% Siberian Husky.

Meanwhile, Vogt continues to be impressed by the support Rhode Island residents have shown for Willow and Wily Coyote.

"The biggest thing out of all this is the love and generosity (Rhode Island) has expressed for these puppies," Vogt wrote. "As a 16 month old rescue that was full when we said 'yes' to taking the girls, we figured we would need to suck it up and build and hope for a little financial support."

"We rescued the pups but RI stepped in for these puppies and helped us. They continue to help us. Food, toys, donations, trees for shade, kind messages, promises to visit!," Vogt wrote. "With all the crazy stuff in the news, RI residents taught us the importance in helping one another. In doing good. And all in the name of these 401 girls!"

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI 'black coyotes' from Warwick confirmed as wolfdogs