Rampage of killer boars

May 27 2007 By Robert Weatherall, The Sunday Sun

Wild boars set free by animal rights activists have ended up savaging each other to death, it has been revealed.

The aggressive beasts had been held separately at the farm of Peter Gott near Gatebeck in Kendal, Cumbria, until the incident.

However, after the activists cut holes in fences to liberate them the boars turned on each other and so far four have been reported dead.

Mr Gott, 52, who has been running the farm for 12 years, said: "They cut around 20 holes in fences separating the animals from one another.

"None of the animals have been able to get off the farm so instead they have started to encroach on each others' territory. Wild boars are highly territorial and as anyone with an once of common sense could predict once you put aggressive territorial animals in contact with each other confrontation will occur.

"It's like putting two bulls in a field together . . . you just wouldn't do it."

Apart from 150 boars Mr Gott also farms 300 standard pigs and says a number of young piglets have sustained crush injuries after being caught up in fighting and fears the death toll could rise.

He said: "We had the vet out here to see a pregnant sow which has a huge wound. The boar has been trying to get at her even though she is heavily pregnant. It's a possibility that she could abort the young she is carrying."

The group also slashed tractor tyres causing £1300 of damage. Police say it was a miracle that the animals didn't manage to escape the farm and make their way onto the adjacent M6 motorway.

After striking at Mr Gott's farm it is believed the same group travelled to The Highwayman Inn at nearby Kirkby Lonsdale where they attacked parked cars and daubed the pub with graffiti.

Mr Gott said: "The Highwayman is one of the pubs we supply. At the end of the day this is just terrorism. I can understand the argument for animal rights in connection with experimentation and where welfare standards have a history of being low but I am a farmer.

"I don't think the country is going to turn vegetarian overnight and all I am doing is producing high-quality healthy food. I do that by making sure my animals are well cared for and healthy."

Mr Gott said those responsible for the attack put themselves at risk as they cut holes in a fence near to where a new mother was caring for her young.

He explained: "I won't go within four yards of her when she is caring for young as she will attack you as a defensive measure."

No-one at The Highwayman was prepared to comment.

Anyone with information on the attacks which occurred between 8pm Thursday and 9am Friday should call 0845-330 0247.

TERRITORIAL:one of the dead piglets crushed in the fighting

SAVAGE:wild boars were set free