HAVE just returned off holiday and while looking through the last few weeks' issues of the Review I noticed the article about the dog savaged by the boar.

This particular article angered me to the point that I thought I must write in. Once again you have people trying to vilify the Forest boar when, in this case, the dumb animal was only trying to protect its young and itself.

I feel sorry for the dog and the whole incident is regrettable but if there is blame to be apportioned then it must fall squarely on the shoulders of Mr Laughton. I have for many years owned dogs and they have been of the same type owned by Mr Laughton. Although my dogs were and are dearly loved, never would I take them out without a lead.

Parsons terriers and similar terrier breeds are bred originally for one purpose and that is confrontation – harassment is its game.

Whilst walking my dogs through the woods I have many times experienced attacks on my dogs by other dogs which have not been on a leash and most of these attacks have been by dogs of similar breeds and size.

Mr Laughton foolishly took two terrier dogs free to roam and harass in an area he knows is frequented by wild boar with young and at 6.30 in the morning and not yet properly light with wild boar still foraging until they move deeper into the woods away from humans and dogs.

Mr Laughton was asking for trouble and he got it. A wild boar will first try to frighten its attacker away but this was not going to work with Mr Laughton's Parsons terriers so in defence of its young and itself it fought, ending in injury but fortunately not death for the dog.

Of all complaints against the wild boar to the Forestry Commission the vast majority are dog related and with a bit of commonsense these incidents could have been prevented.

The population of the boar in the Forest of Dean is probably much lower than the 90 estimated by the Forestry Commission. The Commission does not take into its statistics the much increased rise in illegal poaching and slaughter of these animals and a figure of 60 to 70 would be a more realistic number.

Most people you talk to have never seen a wild boar and although there is much evidence of activity, sightings are rare. I have no idea what the 30 animals sighted by Mr Laughton were on the Whitecroft road, as written in your article, but they certainly were not wild boar.

I find Mr Laughton's comments about his wife's virtual imprisonment in their home because of the boar absolutely ludicrous. Pushing a pram with a baby and holding two leashes attached to a pair of Parsons terriers would be an Herculean task in any environment and I just can't understand why this must be achieved to allow freedom.

What's wrong with letting the dogs run in the secure area of Mr Laughton's garden (as displayed in the photo) leaving mother and baby free to go out.

My advice to Mr Laughton is walk the dogs on leads when out and you will have no trouble with the boar or other dog walkers. Live and let live is my motto. – Friend of the boar (name and address supplied).