Bitch dog steps in front of wolf and saves two-year-old's life in Tuscany

Bitch confronts the wolf

According to "Versilia Today," the dog's owners then desperately tried to save their animal. The wolf had reportedly bitten the bitch on the neck and dragged her into a thicket. The rescue attempts were unsuccessful, and the pet died.

The family had only moved to the mountain village in April 2025. According to the assessment of the National Association for the Protection of the Environment and Rural Life, several wolves were involved in the attack. "To devour a dog of about 22 kilos like this one, at least three or four wolves must have been there," "Versilia Today" quoted the association as saying.

Several wolves suspected

The incident raises questions about how to deal with Italy's growing wolf population. In several regions of the country, there have been repeated encounters between wolves and humans in recent months, and more recently attacks on pets and livestock. The responsible authorities in Tuscany were informed of the incident.

"Versilia Today" described the bitch as a devoted family pet that was always in close contact with Tommaso in everyday life. According to the portal, residents of the village were dismayed by the incident. At the same time, they warned of an increase in marauding wolves in the region.

Reactions from the village and the region

It initially remained unclear whether the animal had reached the courtyard gate on its own through an open barn door or had used some other weak point in the property's boundary. The municipality announced that it would examine the situation on site and, if necessary, step up protective measures for residents.

The National Association for the Protection of the Environment and Rural Life called for a reassessment of wolf policy in the affected mountain regions. Italy has introduced strict protection rules for wolves in recent years; at the same time, pressure is growing from farmers and residents who want to protect themselves against attacks on animals and humans.