A dog walker has been attacked by a wild boar at a protected beauty spot.
Richard Blight was charged by the huge animal while out with his cocker spaniel Bailey.
It hit the seven-year-old pooch, knocking him over before chasing him along a path.
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Retired gas engineer Richard, 62, said the tusked boar was well over twice the height and width of his dog.
He estimated it weighed around 180Ib (12 stone).
The shocking attack happened near the village of Poundsgate, Devon in Dartmoor National Park.
And Richard, of nearby Ashburton, who has been walking daily on Dartmoor all his life, fears the wild boar could wreak havoc.
“I thought I glimpsed a wild boar near some gorse bushes while out with Bailey so I went to take a look and saw the ground had been grubbed up,” he told What’s The Jam.
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“I got my phone to take a picture and a second boar charged out from the gorse – smacking Bailey right off his feet.
“Bailey got up and flew past me with the boar hot on his heels.
“I was thinking, ‘God, what is going on’ and then Bailey reappeared with a boar just behind.
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“I aimed a kick at it but thankfully missed because I would probably have broken my foot.”
Bailey then returned after escaping from the boar.
Richard said: “He was quivering and shaking.
“I decided to leave straight away and went back to the car.
“Bailey was very subdued for the next day or so but he’s OK.”
It is thought the wild boar could be part of a group video by a member of Bespoke Engaging Education Services earlier in February.
The species became extinct in Britain centuries ago but illegal releases have caused wild numbers to soar to nearly 3,000.
Eight boar were recently caught and killed in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.
The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is a particular hotspot but there has never been a population established on Dartmoor.
Richard added: “I dread to think what would happen if a child were to come face to face with a boar on a path.
“Before this happened I would have said properly managed boar wouldn’t be a problem on Dartmoor.
“But not now.
“This is a national park and it can get very busy, especially in summer.
“The consequences could be terrible.
“I don’t think they’ve been there very long, going by the amount of fresh damage.
“It’s also worth pointing out that this is on a public bridleway.
“There’s not exactly a lot of room for wild boar to share with all the other users of The Two Moors Way in that area.
“Whoever released them is a bloody moron.
“It’s been reported to Dartmoor National Park who were aware of other reports of wild boar suddenly appearing on the moors but not aware of any in that area.”
A Dartmoor National Park Authority spokesperson said: “We’ve received reports of wild boar sightings on Dartmoor.
“We’re working closely with landowners and other agencies to obtain further information and guidance.”
Devon Wildlife Trust added: “We are aware of reports of boar on Dartmoor National Park and will be working with the Dartmoor National Park Authority and others over the coming weeks to understand more about their presence.”
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