Mexican gray wolf attacks director of Paso Robles rescue center; leg amputated

A wolf attacked the founder and CEO of a Paso Robles animal rescue center last week, resulting in injuries that were so severe, she had to have her leg amputated. The animal — which was living at WHAR Wolf Rescue, a facility located on Adobe Road near the Paso Robles Municipal Airport — bit a significant portion of Kristi Krutsinger's lower leg on June 22, according to Krutsinger and Michael Hill, director of San Luis Obispo County's health agency. Krutsinger said she was rotating the animal, a 4-year-old male Mexican gray wolf, for feeding at the time of the attack. She said she wasn't wearing proper footwear, which may have contributed to her injuries. Once Krutsinger was in the wolf's cage, it began biting her foot. She said after giving the animal her shoe, she tried to pull her foot and lower leg away and began calling for help. People nearby heard Krutsinger yelling and came to her aid, including an individual with emergency medical technician training. Krutsinger's injuries were so significant she had to have her lower leg amputated. She said she's since been released from the hospital and is undergoing physical therapy and rehabilitation. "I'm so grateful to be alive," Krutsinger said. "Even if they had to take part of my leg."...MORE