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.
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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.
