Two dogs in Denmark are presumed to have been killed by wolves, marking the first such incidents since wolves repopulated the country in 2012. According to the Danish Agency for Green Conversion and Water Environment, the incidents occurred in Central and West Jutland.

The agency’s assessment indicates that one dog, discovered on April 18th near Ikast, was killed by a wolf based on DNA evidence and bite patterns. While it cannot be definitively confirmed in the second case, the dog found south of Ulfborg on March 10th displayed similar bite marks.

The agency believes that these were chance encounters with freely roaming dogs at night and do not indicate a “problem wolf.” Head of Division Jens Skovager Østergaard clarified that a “problem wolf” would involve attacks on dogs within fenced areas, on leashes, or under the owner’s control.

Dog owners will receive compensation. The Agency is also strengthening communication about how to take care of dogs in areas with wolves.

The latest wolf monitoring assessment shows 42 wolves in Jutland. Minister for Green Transition Jeppe Bruus recently introduced a wolf action plan. The plan expands the definition of a “problem wolf” to include those that roam in urban areas or attack livestock behind wolf-proof fences, potentially leading to permission to shoot them.