Very high and impressive numbers
“The increase in the wolf population in Italy with 3300/3600 specimens (Ispra data) and the change in habits, from greater confidence with humans to the phenomenon of hybridization and the spread of pathogens with dogs, has led to a another concrete risk: that dogs are also perceived as prey. For this reason, the Federcaccia Hunting Coordination with the support of Federcaccia Nazionale, in collaboration with the Federation's Studies and Research Office, has collected a real report which records proven episodes of attacks and predation of dogs by wolves in Italy. In the report, which was closed on August 31, 2023, approximately 400 predations were recorded. Very high numbers that as a Region and also as a Country we absolutely cannot afford. I thank Federcaccia for the work carried out at a widespread level, which provides a great range of information".
The words of councilor Piana
Thus the councilor for Agriculture and Hunting Alessandro Piana at today's presentation at the Sala della Trasparenza of the Liguria Region of the report illustrated by the head of the National Coordination of Fidc Hunters Isabella Villa and by the president of Federcaccia Liguria Andrea Campanile with the intervention of the deputy and member of the Agriculture Commission in the Chamber Francesco Bruzzone. “The general picture given by Federcaccia's study shows that the majority of predation occurs in the morning, 60,7% and 18% at night, mostly by a herd (49,4%) and , in 25,8% of cases by an isolated individual. 52,8% of the predations occur in wooded areas, 24,7% in isolated houses and 15,7% in agricultural contexts. The vast majority of dogs attacked (69,7%) end up dying.
Deterrent interventions
The economic damage generally amounts to between 1000 and 5000 euros, while in 17,8% of cases the loss ranges from 5000 to 10000 euros. The same regional monitoring sees the progressive approach of specimens in anthropized areas, also on the basis of reports received from citizens, municipalities and associations. As Villa and Campanile reported for Federcaccia, in the last weeks of November and December there were 7 episodes of confirmed dog predation in Liguria, then many were not reported (according to the report, 53,9% of the total predation was formally reported). total number of events) or it is difficult to trace them back". “For months, the Liguria Region has been strengthening communication and education actions on behaviors that avoid specimens becoming familiar with humans and monitoring with camera traps. Added to these were the dissuasive interventions in particular cases of confident specimens and the implementation of the fund for compensation for damage to livestock", he concludes (source: Liguria Region).