Attacks on hunting dogs: the case of wolf–dog interactions in Croatia

摘要: Gray wolf (Canis lupus) populations are expanding across Europe, which leads to an increase in their interactions with people and domestic animals, including dogs. Attacks on hunting dogs becoming a major cause for conflicts between wolves hunters many countries, Croatia, where this conflict has increased dramatically recent years. To better understand the possible causes behind attacks, we conducted survey among Croatian investigate trends characteristics of attacks. A total 103 were reported as attacked by 2010–2018 significantly increasing trend. The attacks fatal 86% killed, 96% at least partly consumed wolves. most frequently about 3 years old (47%), males (82%), weighing 10–20 kg (62%) belonged scent hounds related breeds. In respect breed, not randomly, but observed significant selection tricolor hound, while Balkan Istrian Posavina hound avoided according availability. Majority (64%) killed during drive hunts wild boar highest frequency was recorded Split–Dalmatia County. More counties more livestock fewer prey, correlations significant. Results suggest that likely perceived potential prey indicate some measures could be used mitigate conflict.