Couple fires warning shots to scare off six wolves: ‘I’ve never been so terrified’

A couple in western Denmark fired warning shots after six wolves approached their property, leaving them deeply shaken, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The incident occurred on the evening of April 10 near Oksbøl, when the couple and their dog encountered the wolves while returning from scaring geese away from their wheat field. The man, who spoke anonymously due to threats received after sharing footage online, described the moment the wolves appeared just metres behind them.

“I looked back, and suddenly there they were—six wolves. I had no idea where they came from,” he told DR. One wolf, which he identified as the lead, advanced closer, coming within three to four metres of their dog. “I’ve never been so terrified and shaken before,” he said.

The couple retreated to their yard, where the wolves followed at a distance of about 10 metres. The man fired two warning shots into the ground after the lead wolf circled back toward the house, prompting the pack to flee. “That’s what it took to make them leave,” he said.

The man, a licensed hunter, now faces a police report over the shots and fears losing his firearms permit. South and Southwestern Jutland Police confirmed receiving a complaint about the incident and are investigating.

The couple initially shared video of the encounter on Facebook but removed it after receiving threats, including messages referencing their home address. “If people have nothing good to say, they should just stay quiet. We didn’t shoot the wolves—we only wanted to scare them,” the woman said.

Denmark’s Agency for Green Transition and Water Environment, which oversees wolf management, stated that the area falls under a regulated zone where problematic wolves—those posing risks to humans, livestock, or pets—can be culled. The agency noted that young wolves in the region have increasingly approached humans in recent months but deemed current regulations sufficient.

The couple now remain vigilant. “If they could sneak up on my husband and our dog that fast, how far do you even have to go from home to feel safe?” the woman asked.