DNA tests confirm a wolf did try to bite the girl at Lesden Manor

DNA tests on clothing worn by a little girl who was allegedly mauled by a wolf earlier this month have confirmed that the girl was bitten by a wolf, provincial officials in Utrecht said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on July 16 at the Den Treek country estate in Leusden, which has since been closed to the public. The girl was among a group of organised children who were playing in the area when an animal approached her from behind.

The game group leader said she was bitten by a wolf, which later let her go, but she fell and was injured because of the shock.

The province said DNA testing was conducted on the damaged parts of her clothing and where there may have been teeth marks, but the teeth marks themselves have not been further examined.

“The findings support the eyewitness account that a conflict with a wolf occurred,” the commission said in a press statement.

A wolf pack with pups is known to exist in the state and will become “extremely defensive” if people and dogs get too close, officials said earlier.

A week before the biting incident, a puppy went missing and was never seen again.