The Flathead County Animal Shelter staff needs homes for the last four huskies remaining from the dozens rescued from inhumane treatment last June.

“We need special people with lots of patience and a secure area,” said Trista Sapp, kennel manager.

At the time of the rescue, the animal shelter and the Humane Society of Northwest Montana worked together to care for the 26 dogs that grew quickly to 41 as pregnant females gave birth. Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force joined in to end that problem.

The public responded to the sad story of the dogs’ inhumane treatment in a filthy trailer with floods of calls to adopt them. But then pending court action against the dogs’ previous owner, Juanita McGranor, kept the animals’ availability for adoption in limbo.

McGranor was convicted of felony cruelty to animals and was ordered to serve a three-year deferred sentence and pay more than $11,000 in restitution and perform 100 hours of community service.

The dogs had been confined to McGranor’s motor home and trailer. The floor and surfaces of the trailer were covered in droppings and the dogs were sick before they were confiscated.

McGranor’s subsequent claims that the dogs were wolf hybrids further clouded the adoption issue. Although the wolf ancestry was questioned, liability issues prevented the county shelter from going forward with adoptions.

Sapp said DNA tests would be the only way to know for sure. A way around the problem was found by working through several husky rescue groups.

For the remaining four dogs, Sapp said Birdsong Siberian Husky Rescue based in Idaho is sponsoring the adoptions, although the dogs are in Kalispell at the shelter.

“They fill out the paperwork through Birdsong,” she said. “There is a fee of $100 but the dogs are spayed or neutered and have their vaccinations except for rabies.”

According to Sapp, three of the dogs — Elvira, Buck and Morgan — have fewer problems than Damian, a “special needs” dog.

“Elvira is trusting of people and will sit in your lap,” Sapp said. “Buck is more standoffish but will walk on a leash. Morgan is so terrified but he is very sweet.”

She said Damian has lived in an outside kennel with three other dogs who recently went to rescue organizations. Sapp said he has not developed the same level of trust with people as the other three, but she believes he has potential.

Sapp described him and the three who recently left as intelligent dogs.

“They actually get along fine with other animals,” she said. “They’ve already reduced their pack behavior and started to develop their own personalities. They’ve definitely come a long way. They will take treats from your hand.”

Sapp said it’s difficult to predict how Damian may act in a private home. She emphasized that a potential owner needs a very secure yard because he may be impossible to catch if he escapes.

“He’ll never be an off-leash dog,” she said.

Bruce and Joni Aronson, volunteers at the shelter, spent several months working with the huskies. They provided these descriptions of the dogs:

Buck: beta male, shy, fairly large, easily managed and good on lead that lives with an alpha female in a small kennel with no problems.

Elvira: beta female, overweight, loves people.

Morgan: small male, very shy but coming along and seems to really appreciate and need social interaction with some of the other huskies.

Damian: alpha male that needs more socialization.

For additional information, contact the Flathead County Animal Shelter at 752-1310 or visit the shelter at 225 Cemetery Road or the Web site www.flathead.mt.gov/animal.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.