Wild boar attacks woman in Gothenburg cemetery

Published: 14 Apr 09 14:33 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/18848/20090414/

A wild boar attacked a woman out walking her dog in a graveyard in Gothenburg on Tuesday morning.

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The woman was out walking her dog in the woods at Västra Kykogården cemetery at 7am this morning when she came face to face with a large wild boar, according to local newspaper Göteborgs-Posten.

"I have never run as fast in all my life," the woman told the newspaper.

A hunter employed by the Church of Sweden was later able to confirm that in fact two wild boars had been out in the graveyard.

The animals may now be hunted and shot subject to a decision from the council.

Wild boars are not uncommon in Sweden and have in recent months been spotted in several residential areas around Gothenburg.

Sightings have been made in the built up areas of Billdal, Lindome and Mölndal.

Wild boars are normally very shy and fear humans. It is very rare that one would go on the attack and normally only when protecting its young.

While wild boars mate several times per year it is not thought that the animal in question was with offspring.

Peter Vinthagen Simpson (news@thelocal.se/+46 8 656 6518)

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17:27 April 14, 2009 by Johno

Well its a bit of an exageration. The article says in the text the animal "gjorde ett utfall mot henne " which wasnt exactly an attack. More I guess that it was getting threatening towards her (or more likely the dog). The woman just took fright.

But out in the country driving they are as dodgy to meet as elk. They are quite large and do nearly as much damage if you hit them, except that if they see you they turn back into the woods. I had one come onto the grass verge my side a month back, and it turned away, happily as there was a car also coming the other way - one of us would have hit it.

There was also an article in Hallands Posten a few weeks back where some folks with a cottage bemoaned the fact that boar had dug up their previously carefully tended lawn - photos too - looked like a ploughed field!

Ah the pleasures of the Swedish countryside.

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20:46 April 14, 2009 by Roger O. Thornhill

What is the policy on killing these pigs in Sweden?

Is there a hunting season? From article it appears approval was required.

Here in the states it is a mixed bag. Many states take the approach kill as many as you can when you can.

A few states are afraid of having a hog season because people will then transport them to their area where they don't already exist.

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