The "Io non ho paura del lupo" (I'm not afraid of the wolf) association sent a formal request for correction to the editor of Il Tirreno today, pursuant to Article 8 of Law No. 47 of February 8, 1948, in relation to the article published on July 19, 2026, titled "Hero dog in Versilia: saves 2-year-old boy from a wolf attack and sacrifices himself for his family."
From what has been possible to reconstruct from information available online, Il Tirreno appears to have been the first newspaper to publish the news in the form subsequently picked up by numerous news outlets in Italy and abroad.
The request was made in light of subsequent official statements from the Tuscany Region and the Mayor of Camaiore, which revealed that no child had ever been attacked or approached by a wolf, that the wolf was inside the home at the time of the incident, and that the confirmed incident involved the predation of a dog that was outside.
"This is not a simple inaccuracy," the Association states. "The reconstruction initially published was picked up by dozens of newspapers, television programs, and commentators, contributing to the spread of a narrative that we now know to be profoundly different."
Within a few days, that story reached millions of people, was translated and relaunched abroad, and was used in public debate to support positions on wolf management based on an event that never occurred."
The association emphasizes that the request for rectification is a tool provided by law to ensure citizens receive accurate and complete information.
"When official evidence emerges that contradicts a news story, it is crucial that the correction receives adequate visibility. The credibility of information is also measured by the ability to recognize and correct one's own errors," adds the Association.
The association hopes that the correction will be published promptly and with adequate visibility. Should this not happen, Io non ho paura del lupo APS will evaluate any further action required by law, including filing a complaint with the competent Disciplinary Council of the Order of Journalists for assessment of any ethical issues related to verifying sources and ensuring the accuracy of the information.
"This story goes beyond a single article," concludes I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf. "It concerns the way large carnivores are reported and, more generally, the relationship between information, scientific evidence, and journalistic responsibility. Accurate information is a fundamental prerequisite for a serious public debate and for wildlife management based on facts, not misinformation."