Wild boar ‘fed crisps’ by the public

WILD boar that are running rampage in one corner of the West are being fed crisps, it has been claimed.

A council meeting in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire was told that feeding wild boar food waste is illegal and they can only be fed fruit and vegetables that have never entered the kitchen. Kevin Stannard, deputy surveyor of the Forestry Com- mission, said in a council meeting that it was also illegal to feed the pigs dog or cat food after residents in the Forest “continue to feed” the beasts.

There are currently 1,645 wild boar in the district, according to Mr Stannard – the highest it has ever been.

Labour councillor Bernie O’Neill (Littledean & Ruspidge) said: “I have seen people give crisps to the boars.”

Mr Stannard also said in the meeting at Forest of Dean District Council that it is nobody’s responsibility to remove a wild boar if it lies dead on the side of the road.

He added that if the wild boar was a risk to public safety or was a hazard on the road, then people should call either the police, the county council or the Forestry Commission.

SWNS It is claimed there are currently 1,645 wild boar in the Forest of Dean