Two dogs in Denmark are presumed to have been killed by wolves, marking the first such incidents since the animal repopulated the country in 2012. The Agency for Green Area Conversion and Water Environment announced the findings on its website.

The agency believes the attacks were isolated incidents and do not indicate a problematic wolf population. The incidents have prompted officials to remind dog owners not to allow their pets to roam freely in wolf-inhabited areas. Compensation will be provided to the owners of the deceased dogs.

One dog was discovered on April 18th near a road south of Ikast in Central Jutland, showing traces of wolf DNA. The bite patterns and additional wolf evidence in the vicinity support the conclusion that a wolf was responsible for the death. The other dog was found on March 10th south of Ulfborg in West Jutland. While it cannot be definitively confirmed that a wolf killed this dog, the agency notes that the bite marks were similar to those found on the dog near Ikast.

Both dogs were unsupervised and roaming freely at night, suggesting the encounters with the wolf were accidental. Head of Division Jens Skovager Østergaard stated that the wolf would only be considered a problem if it had attacked a dog that was fenced, leashed, or under the owner’s control.

Arne Jørgensen, the owner of the Springer Spaniel that disappeared south of Ulfborg on March 10th, told TV Midtvest that his dog was found dead 200 meters from his house. He believes the dog was taken from within 15 meters of his home. He told DR that future dogs would not be allowed to roam freely.

The agency is now increasing communication efforts to educate the public on protecting dogs in areas where wolves are present. The owners of the deceased dogs will receive compensation up to DKK 35,000, which is the equivalent cost of similar breed.

According to the latest wolf monitoring assessment, there are approximately 42 wolves in Jutland. Recently, Minister for Green Tripartite Jeppe Bruus introduced a wolf action plan to broaden the definition of a “problem wolf.” Under the new plan, wolves entering urban areas or attacking livestock behind wolf-proof fences will be classified as problem wolves and may be authorized for shooting.