“TBG, your not the only one who lives in the forest mate! From the many other locals I have spoken to only around 1 in 10 want the boar eradicated, you are of course quite welcome to your opinion, but I suggest you do a little research on the matter before you leap into a debate. The only reason the boar turned up at the school was the food source, no not tender children, but APPLES! I agree that the decision to shoot the animal was probably the right one as it had visited several times and small children were at a minimal risk. The animal only became agitated, not aggressive, when cornered, so the ranger made an on the spot decision. Druggies and louts pose much more of a threat to our children than boar, it is very true and I feel relevant, the council should be doing more to combat this issue than worrying about boar, which is obviously a subject they know nothing about! And children do have a habit of embellishing stories, so maybe a little scepticism next time one comes to you saying they were chased by a sabre toothed tiger..........er I mean boar.”

“Dear TBG FOD, Forest Of Dean

Your usage of the word ignorant was your choice and certainly not mine but you do seem rather attached to it.

Moving on, yes the boar in Ruardean were attracted to the free food (apples I believe) but despite Ruardean's history over killing boar I mean bear they still visited. If they were that aggressive they would snacked at the school and then had a drink down at the Caudle spring.

Personally I would rather see louts and and druggies treated appropriately.

Yours formerly from Middle FOD”

“Ok so Im ignorant? well seeing how I live in the Forest and not East of it perhaps I will accept it. Also being about five minutes from where these animals turn up allows me a certain perspective perhaps others do not . Also Mr lewis did the boar that strolled into the school last year and had to be shot show any signs of having young or avoiding human contact? Err NO ! from this ignorant persons limited weducatio I was always told at that porcine are a inquisitive beast.Also Cookie yes we are proud of our heritage mate thats why we allow our children to play in it as it is theirs also.I may be a simple cou8ntry yokel to some of you but to bring in the world of drugs and loutish behavior to a discussion about Wild boar shows your own special level of ignorance.”

“"Your dealing with Foresters now ".....Oh dear !, Its brilliant be to be proud of your heritage, but not in a negative way. The dean is built on folklore, stories, myths and legends, as usual the media have got hold of this and low and behold people are jumping on the bandwagon. The Dean is a big place, large bits of it not regularly visited by people anyhow. Many of us as kids have been chased by the next door neighbours dog - would you have them shot too? ..... I also wouldn't let my young children play out in the forest on their own, but I wouldn't be worrying about boars attacking them....”

“Yes, the terrifying boar, scourge of the Forest, blood coats their tusks as they hunt our families and feast on our flesh¿ I¿m surprised you haven¿t already grabbed the pitchforks and flaming torches to go hunt these beasts down¿ Seriously, I am more scared of the fact that there still exists the level of ignorance displayed on this comment board by Jodie & TBG FOD, than being ¿chased¿ by a boar!! I heartily agree with Brian, David and Julia. Speeding vehicles and drunken louts should be of more concern than wild boar. Please, I beg you, get a little perspective, perhaps educate yourself about boar and stop thinking that the best solution to everything is to ¿kill it¿!!”

“I have seen the boar a few times when I've been out with my dog. They have usually followed me for a while, but I've continued to walk quietly away and they haven't caused me any problems. They add hugely to the diversity of the Forest, thus helping the tourist industry - why can't we just manage them, like the deer and the sheep, rather than exterminate them? Traffic is a massively greater danger to us, but we all still get in our cars every day.”

“I wonder if Ms Fowler has any idea of the diet of a Porcine? I bet she believes they are vegetarian”

“I would be very surprised if any of the forests boar actually chased humans as some people have suggested, this scare mongering is a real problem. I have encountered boar on at least 30 occasions including large tusked males, what they often do is walk towards you due to their poor eyesight just to suss you out, as soon as they realise what you are they run off, though I expect the said people who are frightened by a hairy pig will have already run away themselves by this point and then claim they have been chased! I agree that they should be managed, but not exterminated, and Mr Lewis is quite right, sort the druggies out first!!”

“Why not just leave them alone. Unless they have young and are threatened they will avoid human contact.
You are 100 imes more likely to be attacked by a drug crazed thug in Coleford or Cinderford than even see a boar.

Ex Woodsider”

“A matter of time before the animal activists stuck thier nose in. just a word of warning ti them . Your dealing with Foresters now not some farmer on his own or a lab worker.Keep your nose out of our business.Do you have small children playing in these woods and being chased and frightened by these animals?No of coarse not so just shut up! Also dont I remember that the original release of these beasts was by animal activists on a farm? I plead to the Forester do not give these people type space. When a child is hurt or worse where will this lady be?”