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Vandals leave 40 wild boar free | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
About 40 boar are on the loose in Devon after vandals cut through an enclosure at a farm for a second time. | |
The damaged perimeter fence was found at Bramblewood Farm in Rydon Lane in Holsworthy at about 0800 BST. | The damaged perimeter fence was found at Bramblewood Farm in Rydon Lane in Holsworthy at about 0800 BST. |
About 60 wild boar have been rounded up, but there are believed to be another 40 running free. | |
Police and neighbours are helping trace the remaining boar. Farmer John Walker lost about 60 boar after fencing and padlocks were damaged in November 2006. | |
Animals die | |
Mr John Walker who owns and runs the boar farm said: "The fencing contractor has just finished repairing the fences. | |
"They're all in the wrong pens, so we're going to have to sort them out and then feed them." | |
He said they expect more boar to be rounded up tonight because hungar would force them closer to their enclosures. | |
But he added that some animals die because they are unable to forage in the wild for themselves. | |
Police are appealing to members of the public to keep away from the animals if spotted and warn they may charge without any provocation. | Police are appealing to members of the public to keep away from the animals if spotted and warn they may charge without any provocation. |
Anyone who sees the boar is asked to call police immediately. | Anyone who sees the boar is asked to call police immediately. |
Police said they were keeping "an open mind" about the motive for the damage. | Police said they were keeping "an open mind" about the motive for the damage. |
Other herds of wild boar are believed to be roaming free after a number of attacks by animal rights activists to fencing at Allan Dedames' Woodland Wild Boar Farm near South Molton, about 20 miles away from Holsworthy. | Other herds of wild boar are believed to be roaming free after a number of attacks by animal rights activists to fencing at Allan Dedames' Woodland Wild Boar Farm near South Molton, about 20 miles away from Holsworthy. |
Activists released 102 boar from the farm in December 2005 and another 45 were set loose in a second attack in February 2006. | Activists released 102 boar from the farm in December 2005 and another 45 were set loose in a second attack in February 2006. |
Mr Dedames lost his appeal in September against North Devon District Council's decision not to reissue him with a Dangerous Wild Animals Licence. | Mr Dedames lost his appeal in September against North Devon District Council's decision not to reissue him with a Dangerous Wild Animals Licence. |