Wolves in Lithuania pose threat to domestic animals

In Lithuania, there is an increasing concern regarding wolf attacks on domestic animals during late summer and autumn. Specialists warn that dogs tied to kennels are particularly vulnerable because they cannot maneuver or use natural self-defense reflexes to escape predators.

Beatričė Vaitiekūnaitė, head of the non-governmental organization Animal Welfare Initiative, stated that protecting animals from such threats is the responsibility of the owners. She noted that some attempt to blame rising wolf populations or call for increased hunting quotas to avoid the costs of building secure enclosures or volières.

In the Dzūkija region, residents reported approximately 10 instances of wolves attacking dogs within a single week in 2025. Experts advise pet owners to bring animals indoors at night or keep them in enclosed, protected structures to prevent loss.