The incorrigible and lethal libido of the Aitken boar

John Aitken’s boar was a notorious leaper and also something of lothario around Forfar and Letham. In January 1879, the beast’s passion ran out of control and he killed a neighbour’s sow with vigorous love-making. The animal was branded a murderer by the sow’s owner, Margaret Stirling of Letham, and the case ended up in Forfar Sheriff Court.

Mr Aitken, South Muir, Forfar, had lent his boar to William Allan, Grange of Lour.

The boar spent a week on his amorous duties but early in the morning of the day he was due to return home, lust overtook him and he broke free.

The boar leapt the fence surrounding his sty and went on a rampage around the countryside.

In Letham, he chanced across Mrs Stirling’s sty where an expectant sow was resting.

The two made acquaintance but, as it turned out, it was anything but a lovable encounter.

At one point, Mrs Stirling became aware of the antics and tried to chase the beast away.

But with its passion enraged, the boar would not take a denial and ultimately damaged the sow to such an extent that she died.

Mrs Stirling was deprived not just of her valuable sow but its litter which was due the following week.

Mr Reid of Letham, a dealer in such wares, inspected the dead animal, which weighed 25 stone, and said its back had been broken and its flesh blackened during the torrid liaison.

Mrs Stirling cried murder and sued Mr Aitken for £10. In turn, Mr Aitken demanded £10 from Mr Allan who had been looking after the boar.

In court, carcase dealer Mr Reid gave evidence and described the unfortunate sow as good-looking.

The sheriff, in delivering his judgment, said there was no doubt the boar had inflicted the dreadful injuries and consequently, the loss suffered by Mrs Stirling.

However, he decided he could not award the full £10 to her. The sheriff decreed that Mrs Stirling should have given the dead animal to Mr Aitken not Mr Reid. She received £8. His lordship found that Allan should have provided a secure sty for the boar and ordered him to pay Aitken £8.

“Its back had been broken... during the torrid liaison