Wolf that attacked dog is not a problem wolf, province sees it as "natural behavior"

The wolf that attacked a leashed dog on an estate in Leusden last Saturday has shown natural behavior, according to experts. The province of Utrecht says that there is no question of a so-called problem wolf. The province assumes that the dog was attacked by one of the parents of wolf cubs.

"There was natural predatory behavior in which wolves see dogs as a threat and humans in principle not," according to the answers of the provincial executive board to written questions from the VVD and BBB. "However, it is incredibly sad for the owner and anyone concerned about the wolf's presence. According to experts, the wolf in the incident on July 6 displayed natural behavior."

Currently, two male wolves living on Utrecht territory are being actively monitored. The first wolf, which comes from the Veluwe, regularly approaches people with dogs and shows undesirable behavior, according to the province. Utrecht has, therefore, applied for a permit to capture this animal and put a transmitter on it so that it can be better followed.

The other male wolf, originally from Germany, now has a female and cubs. The province can say "with a high degree of certainty" that one of the parents bit a dog in Leusden on Saturday and took it away. The province of Utrecht concludes based on a statement from the dog's owner, an analysis of images from wildlife cameras, and expert behavioral interpretation.

It seems that the dog did not survive the attack. As the animal is still missing, this cannot be said with certainty.