HOLTSVILLE, NY – A 7-year-old hybrid wolf was stolen from a Long Island ecology center and authorities say the animal was "clearly targeted" by whoever cut through a fence at the center sometime between 4 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday.

Suffolk Police responded to the Holtsville Wildlife and Ecology Center after an employee called 911 at about 7:20 a.m. to report the missing wolf-dog hybrid (part German Shepherd, part Huskie and part wolf). The female named Nakita had been illegally kept as a pet at a Ronkonkoma home until last year when her owner turned Nakita over to the Suffolk SPCA after she became aggressive.



"While Nakita has not exhibited aggressive tendencies toward people, including her caregivers at the Ecology Site, we are asking the public not to approach her, if seen," the ecology center wrote on its Facebook page. "We are extremely concerned for Nakita's welfare; we have more than 100 animals residing at the Animal Preserve and she was clearly targeted." Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the SCPD Fifth Squad detectives at 631-854-8552 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. The Suffolk County SPCA is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators involved in this crime.