In February 2026, increased wolf activity was recorded in several regions of Poland, including the Kłodzko Land, Lublin region, and Lesser Poland. The predators are approaching buildings, attacking livestock and domestic dogs. Simultaneously, new data indicates that domestic pets statistically pose a greater threat to humans than wild animals, sparking a debate over the introduction of mandatory third-party liability insurance for dog owners.

Wolf attacks on livestock

In the towns of Wilkanów and Turówiec, wolf packs killed farm and domestic animals in February 2026.

Dog bite statistics

In 2024, over 26 thousand dog bites were recorded, exceeding the number of people injured in road traffic accidents on Polish roads.

The issue of third-party liability insurance

Only 35% of respondents are in favor of compulsory insurance for dog owners, despite the growing scale of dog bite incidents.

In the second half of February 2026, reports of incidents involving wolves intensified in many regions of the country. In Kłodzko Land, specifically in the town of Wilkanów, predators attacked a flock of sheep on the night of February 8-9, causing significant material losses for local farmers. Similar concerns were recorded in the Wojsławice municipality in the Lublin region, where wolves killed a dog on a private property in Turówiec. Local authorities are appealing to residents for special caution, especially after dark, and to secure farm animals. Experts point to the phenomenon of habituation, which is causing wild animals to increasingly venture into cities, such as Rabka-Zdrój. The wolf population in Poland has been under strict species protection since 1998, which has contributed to the species' recovery but has also increased the frequency of human-nature interactions. Parallel to the discussion about wolves, the media are analyzing a report by Izabela Kadłucka and the organization Watchdog Polska concerning public safety. The data shows that in 2024, there were 26,588 dog bites, averaging 73 cases per day. This number is higher than the tally of people injured in road accidents (24,782 victims). Despite this, a survey by the service Rankomat shows that only 35% of Poles support the introduction of mandatory third-party liability insurance for pet owners. Experts emphasize that, contrary to common fears, packs of feral dogs in forests can be more aggressive and dangerous to humans than the wolf population.

Mentioned People

  • Izabela Kadłucka — Author of a report on dog bites in Poland prepared for Watchdog Polska.
  • Adam Zbyryt — Naturalist and science popularizer, known as 'The Man from the Forest'.