I AM surprised that the Review should give a platform to the anarchist group SAB (saboteurs against the wild boar cull.)

They claim to be the silent majority. Are they? Or are they merely a group of people who have the time to exploit social media to further their cause?

I believe I may well know some of them. Fanaticism apart they are thoroughly decent people yet, some years ago, a young woman of my acquaintance who criticised the boar on her Facebook page received such vile abuse that she was forced to take the page down!

Being familiar with electronic media SAB and others defending the boar must be aware of the problems experienced by other European countries.

Why would they wish the same to happen here?

Ten years ago France and Germany were where we are now. They thought they could control boar numbers by culling. They were wrong!

Now they only respond to emergencies such as the one where an aggressive young boar had to be shot in school grounds at The Pludds.

Already we have had dogs severely injured and in at least one case killed.

Many owners now travel west of the Wye to walk with their dogs as they no longer feel safe to do so in the Dean.

We have had the boar here for some years. Not in any great numbers as yet but experience in the Dean shows that will change.

Why should hundreds of dog owners who regularly walk with their dogs in the Dean and possibly thousands who visit from afar have the threat of an attack from dangerous wild animals?

How long before people, most likely children, are injured?

This is not intended to be scaremongering. I hope sincerely that this situation never occurs but as long as the boar are defended and promoted this remains a distinct possibility.

– Terry Haile, Monmouth.