Dog attacks elderly woman as Vilnius district village fears repeat incidents

An aggressive dog has been troubling residents of Budreliškės, a village in Vilnius district, for several years and recently bit an elderly woman, LRT reports. Neighbours say they do not know how to resolve the problem.

According to Aleksandras, a resident of the village, which has only a few houses, the large shepherd dog often runs loose and frightens his family. He said the dog had attacked the elderly woman, who was taken to hospital.

“We have been at war for three years. The dog is very angry,” Aleksandras told LRT.

Police confirmed that the woman had been bitten. They said she declined medical assistance and had no complaints, while the dog’s owner took her to a medical facility. Officers are clarifying the circumstances of the incident.

Police also confirmed receiving a similar report in April about a dog running loose. Residents were reportedly feeling unsafe, and material was collected for an inquiry into possible threats to kill or seriously harm someone. However, no signs of a criminal act were found, and authorities decided not to open a pre-trial investigation.

Aleksandras said fines did not frighten the dog’s owner and that other neighbours were afraid to complain, as was the elderly woman who was bitten. He said the dog had attacked him several times and that police had told him nothing could be done until someone was bitten.

When can a dog be confiscated?

Police referred to the Animal Welfare and Protection Law, which requires animal keepers to ensure that their animals do not pose a threat to people’s or other animals’ lives or health, or to property. They must also respect other people’s rights and legitimate interests.

Violations can result in civil, administrative or criminal liability if someone’s health is harmed. Police warned that an animal may be confiscated if violations are repeated.

The State Food and Veterinary Service told LRT that its officials, like police and municipal administration officers, can investigate administrative offences. However, the fact that an animal is aggressive or makes residents feel unsafe does not automatically mean it will be confiscated.

The possibility of confiscation depends on the specific circumstances, the nature of the violation and the conditions set out in the Code of Administrative Offences. Authorities must assess the nature of any injuries, the conditions in which the dog was kept and supervised, and any previous incidents involving the animal before deciding what administrative measures may apply.