Bosun, a beautiful and much loved Golden Retriever was the victim of an attack by a wild boar on Ruardean Hill on Sunday evening, May 23rd.

12 year old Bosun was bitten between his back legs damaging his scrotum. He was taken to Chaseview Veterinary Clinic, Ross on Wye for treatment which involved surgery to castrate him. He is recovering well so far.

But then on Wednesday morning, May 26th, a five year old Greyhound named Cara was attacked at Speech House and was not so lucky. She was rammed and bitten resulting in a complex, comminuted fracture of her shoulder and lacerations to her leg. She was also taken to Chaseview Vets for treatment but unfortunately had to be euthanased on humane grounds. Her owner was very understandably deeply upset.

Kate Kerry of Chaseview Vets said both dogs where under control and walking along forest tracks when the attacks occurred and both these incidents demonstrate how dangerous wild boar can be.

She said: "These attacks show how close we are to the wild boar population in the Forest Of Dean and surrounding woodland areas.

"They can be a particular hazard to people and dogs walking in the forest at this time of year as they have litters at foot.

"In order to protect their offspring they are more aggressive and territorial. In addition it is becoming more evident that people are feeding the wild boar, encouraging human contact.

"These factors combined make for territorial animals that are less fearful of humans giving rise to increased possibilities of aggressive encounters."

Steps are being taken by the Forestry Commission to control boar numbers and maintain a sensible number in the wild. They have posted information signs encouraging people to keep dogs on leads