After a TVN documentary aired on a fatal dog bite that killed a 46‑year‑old man in Zielona Góra on Oct. 12, police have opened an investigation into the incident and related safety concerns.
Fatal dog bite in Zielona Góra – 12 October tragedy
On Oct. 12 a 46‑year‑old man was bitten by three dogs, reported to be Belgian shepherds, that had escaped from a private shooting range in Zielona Góra’s forest. He was hospitalized and died three days later from his injuries. Prosecutors say the dogs had previously tried to leave the range’s premises.
TVN documentary triggers police investigation
The TVN program “Uwagi” broadcast a report on the case, including testimony by a woman who called 112 twice about a dog bite incident involving the 53‑year‑old owner’s dog three years earlier. Police issued a 600‑zł fine to the dog owner for the earlier incident. The program also highlighted an earlier case of a boy bitten by the same dogs, which was eventually dismissed.
Owner of the dogs faces serious charges
The owner, a 53‑year‑old man, was arrested last week after police filed charges against him. He now faces potential life imprisonment for the fatal bite. The 53‑year‑old is a former policeman who was released from service in January 2019 and has never held a managerial position.
Police statements on former policeman
Osiedle’s police commander stated that officers had been instructed to determine whether the donor’s previous police service influenced police conduct. They confirmed that no connection has been found and that the former policeman had no role in the incidents. Police also denied assisting the range owner in retrieving dogs from a shelter in 2024, noting that any intervention in 2022 was limited to speaking with the owner about unpaid care fees.
Shelter and jurisdictional issues
The dogs were briefly held at a local shelter last year, but the shelter refused to release them in 2024 because the owner had been assisted by police during pickup. The shelter director, Krzysztof Rukojc, explained that local authorities, not police, oversee shooting range permits and environmental and building regulations, and that police are not involved in those reviews.
