AKWESASNE — The wolf-dog hybrid captured by St. Regis Mohawk Animal Control officers then freed by someone was caught, freed again then sent to Indiana in secret.

Animal Control Officer Derek Comins said in a news release that the animal was trapped on May 7, using live bait near Tarbell Road, where it had been searching for food.

But someone let him out of the trap.

The next day, the animal was shot with a tranquilizer dart by a wildlife biologist.

However, the capture was kept quiet until the hybrid could be placed at a safe haven.

Comins packed up the animal and was met halfway on the 14-hour trip by members of the Wolf Creek Habitat in Brookville, Ind., which placed the young male with 2-year-old Canadian wolves.

"We named him Mohawk after the Mohawk people who saved his life," said Habitat owner Kathy Baudendistel.

The hybrid was first captured in late March and was being held until test results could be obtained to determine its species.

But before the results were returned, someone cut the lock on the cage he was held in and released the animal into the wild again on April 19.

He was missing for more than two weeks.