The 53‑year‑old owner of three Belgian shepherds was arrested on Oct. 16 after his dogs mauled a 46‑year‑old truck driver to death at a shooting range near Zielona Góra.
Owner Arrested on Oct. 16
The district prosecutor’s office in Zielona Góra announced new information on Wednesday, Oct. 16, about a fatal dog bite incident. The 53‑year‑old owner of the three Belgian shepherds was detained at the request of the Head of the First Criminal Investigation Department. He faces a crime of causing serious bodily harm with a life‑threatening disease, which resulted in the victim’s death. Prosecutor Ewa Antonowicz said the penalty could range from five years to life imprisonment.
Fatal Bite at Shooting Range
On Sunday, Oct. 12, a 46‑year‑old truck driver was collecting mushrooms in a forest near a shooting range in Zielona Góra when he was attacked by three dogs, likely Belgian shepherds, that had run from the perimeter of the range. He sustained 53 wounds and was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
Previous Escapes and Attacks
Prosecutor Antonowicz noted that the dogs had escaped the fenced area on multiple occasions and that there were instances where they attacked other individuals. The owner, a former police officer, was on training outside the city at the time of the arrest but did not conceal himself.
Prosecutor’s Statements and Case History
The prosecutor clarified that a case concerning another dog bite had already been initiated based on a police memorandum from the Zielona Góra City Police Command. That investigation involved a woman who entered the property and was severely bitten. The prosecutor also requested the public not to speculate on possible connections regarding the incidents.
Investigations into Dogs and Range Operations
Investigators plan to assess the physical and mental state of the dogs and review the operational protocols of the shooting range where the animals were kept. This will include an examination of safety regulations and compliance with applicable rules that govern the range’s activities.
