A shepherd in Utrecht is demanding access to non-lethal deterrents such as paintball guns and livestock protection dogs after a wolf attacked his flock in broad daylight last Monday at the Leersumse Veld.
The attack occurred as State Secretary Silvio Erkens of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) pushes to expedite permits for municipalities and provinces to shoot wolves that show aggression or repeatedly target livestock.
Shepherd Clemens Oude Groeniger witnessed the predator attack a sheep from just 10 meters away before he scared the animal off by shouting.
"I let the herd graze, here on the Leersumse Veld," said Oude Groeniger. "And suddenly there is a wolf, right in the middle of a group of sheep.
We looked at each other, 10 meters away. And then he grabbed a sheep, right in the throat."
The targeted sheep survived with multiple neck wounds and returned to grazing a week later.
"Sodemieter op," shouted Oude Groeniger. "The wolf let go and walked into the forest.
Then I was shaking for a bit."
State Secretary Erkens announced his intention to streamline the permit process for culling dangerous wolves ahead of the upcoming pup and recreation seasons, stating he would do "everything possible to prevent dangerous situations."
Animal rights organizations countered the proposal, arguing that international legal frameworks protect the species.
"This is an empty promise," said Erwin Vermeulen, a representative of Animal Rights. "The state secretary is promising something he cannot deliver.
EU regulations do not allow it at this time."
Werkgroep Wolf Leusden reiterated that strict conservation criteria must be met before any wolf can be culled in the Netherlands.
"For the time being, not much will change," said Devorah van Dijkhuizen, a representative of Werkgroep Wolf Leusden.
"For instance, shooting must not have negative consequences for the survival of the wolf in the Netherlands. The necessity for culling must also really be proven.
And you will first have to do everything you can to scare the wolf away, with a paintball gun for example."
Oude Groeniger advocated for rapid intervention regarding problematic wolves but emphasized the need for preventative equipment over lethal action.
"But that does not apply to all wolves," said Oude Groeniger. "Something with which I can scare the wolf from a distance.
You don't want to have to walk towards it, because you don't know what risk you are taking."
The shepherd has requested financial assistance from the province of Utrecht to acquire specialized livestock guarding dogs, which deter predators through barking and scent marking.
"Not by attacking that wolf, but by emitting a scent and especially by barking," said Oude Groeniger.
"In Gelderland and Drenthe this is already the most normal thing in the world."
The province of Utrecht has declined to provide subsidies for the dogs, prompting further appeals from the shepherd following the recent encounter.
