A wolf was shot on Saturday in southern Finland after attacking a hunting dog. The incident occurred in Loppi municipality when a hunting dog was pursuing hares on September 20. The dog suddenly stopped its chase and returned from the forest with a wolf following closely behind.
The dog's owner, who was nearby, called the animal to safety. The owner lifted the dog into their arms for protection. The wolf continued approaching and repeatedly tried to reach the hunting dog while it was being held.
Both the dog and its owner sustained minor injuries during the encounter. Police issued an order to eliminate the wolf on September 22 due to the dangerous situation.
Authorities successfully ended the threat on Saturday, October 25 between 9-10 AM. The shooting occurred 1.5 kilometers north of the original attack location. The 29-kilogram male wolf was handled by Loppi's game management association using their large game assistance program.
This incident highlights the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in rural Finland. While wolf attacks remain rare, they demonstrate the real risks when protected predators lose their fear of humans.
What is SRVA assistance? Finland's Large Game Assistance program helps manage dangerous wildlife situations. Local volunteers work with authorities to address immediate threats to public safety.