The answer from Ms. Erika from Košice is disheartening: there is no way. On July 21, 2026, two Central Asian Shepherd dogs that escaped from a yard attacked her right by the entrance on Lesnícka street in the Košice-Sídlisko Ťahanovce district. The woman was returning home with her chihuahua when the dogs knocked her to the ground, dragged her on the asphalt, and bit her, reports KošiceDnes.
“I had no chance, it was 30 seconds. It’s a 90-kilogram animal that knocks you down, stands over you, and tears at you,” recalls the victim. She tried to cover her small dog, but the chihuahua suffered fatal injuries and died. Erika herself was hospitalized with numerous bites, scratches, and post-traumatic shock.
A passing driver stopped the attack. He drove the dogs away and called emergency services – according to witnesses, this is what saved the woman's life.
The owner has already been charged
The police quickly identified the owner of the dogs – it turned out to be a 52-year-old resident of the Košice-Krásna district, from whose yard the animals escaped. He has been charged with a crime of negligence, and the case is under investigation. The Košice city police confirmed they responded to the scene and handed over the materials to the state police.
Why this breed is under special control
The Central Asian Shepherd is among the 14 breeds whose keeping in Slovakia is regulated by enhanced rules. Adult dogs weigh 79–90 kg, have strong protective instincts, and require strict socialization.
If you or your neighbors own this breed, the law requires:
- specialized dog training for the owner and a permit to keep the animal;
- walking in public areas only on a leash and with a muzzle;
- secure fencing of the yard from which the dog cannot escape on its own.
The full list of regulated breeds and requirements for owners is available in the material about dog keeping rules in Slovakia. In Košice, the Mestská polícia Košice (city police) monitors walks in the city – you can complain to them if you see a large dog without a muzzle or leash.
What this means in practice
The incident caused outrage in the district: residents are demanding stricter control over dangerous breeds. For owners of large dogs, the message is simple: carelessness now means a criminal case, not just a fine. If you witness an attack or see a potentially dangerous animal unsupervised on the street, call the single emergency number 112 – a quick call for help saved the person's life this time.
