A family said Animal Control in Aurora, Colorado took their dog and won't give him back, claiming the dog is a wolf-hybrid.

The Abbato family has had Capone for nearly 10 years. They rescued him from the Adams County Animal Shelter where he was classified as a German shepherd mix.

The family's veterinarian also says the same thing. But Aurora Animal Control thinks Capone is a wolf-hybrid.

"It's been real painful," 11-year-old Ciara Abbato said.

"Our German shepherd, Capone, got out Feb. 24. He jumped the fence. It’s the first time in the seven years we’ve lived here," said Capone’s owner, Tracy Abbato.

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Aurora Animal Control picked up Capone that day, but turned away his family when they tried taking him home.

"They say he is a hybrid-wolf now and don't want to release (him) back to us because he is an exotic animal,” Abbato said.

The city ran a DNA test to determine his breed on March 1 and if the results prove he's a wolf-hybrid, the family dog could be put down.

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