Frustrated Citizen Files 792 FOI Requests Over Wolf Attacks, Province Refuses to Comply

A frustrated citizen has filed 792 Freedom of Information requests with the Dutch province of Drenthe, demanding every single document related to wolf attacks on livestock over the past decade, including damage reports, assessment records, and photographs of all 792 reported incidents. The province has refused to process the requests, citing abuse of process. Officials estimate that handling the requests would keep five full-time employees busy for two months. The province determined that the sheer volume of overlapping requests indicates the individual is not genuinely seeking information but rather attempting to overwhelm the provincial administration. The requester and the province have a history. In 2025, a previous Freedom of Information request about wolf attacks was also dismissed after the requester failed to narrow down its scope when asked. Shortly after that decision on May 11, the massive wave of 768 requests arrived, later corrected to 792. In an official letter, the Provincial Executive stated they cannot escape the impression that the requester is aggrieved and has goals beyond simply obtaining information. They noted that communication has been difficult, with phone calls going unanswered. The requester has six weeks to file an appeal against the decision. Drenthe is one of the Dutch provinces most affected by the return of wolves to the Netherlands, a subject that has generated significant controversy between farmers, conservationists, and local governments.