From Graham Compton
I liked Brian Hare’s alternative theory on the origins of domestic dogs, in which “friendly” wolves that thrived on food scraps interbred, reinforcing their human-tolerant traits (2 March, p 30). I don’t suppose I will be alone in observing that we have, with the urban fox, another possible example of that process.
However, the fox also highlights a problem: they apparently sometimes become confused about whether humans give food or are food, if their reported attacks on children can be generalised (23 February, p 26).
I’m guessing that if a putative domesticated wolf became similarly confused it would jeopardise the whole adventure, particularly as it is unlikely to have been content with a nibble. Most likely the whole pack would be dispatched.
Ashbourne, Derbyshire, UK
