Lead Man, Neighbors at Odds Over Pet Canines

LEAD - Residents of a neighborhood in the western South Dakota city of Lead say they're fed up with a man's pet wolves, which they say have kept them in fear for years.

The owner of the canines says they aren't wolves but registered Alaskan husky dogs, and Mark Valdez doesn't understand why anyone would be afraid of them.

Residents say one of Valdez's animals attacked and nearly killed a small dog over the weekend. Valdez says he's not sure which animal started the incident.

Valdez says the Sunday incident was the first time any of his animals have escaped, but neighbors dispute that.

Police Chief John Waiman tells the Rapid City Journal (http://bit.ly/10KC00k ) that local and state authorities are investigating whether the animals violate any city or state laws.

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