FOLLOWING the lively debate regarding the wild boar within the Forest of Dean and the online poll that overwelmingly puts the boar in favour (therefore probably not getting the support or result that your paper was hoping for), even I am shocked at the latest story to hit the press.

 I, like many other people am absolutely shocked and saddened that you could run a story telling the readers about the illness of a certain gentleman living in the Forest who has encountered wild boar rooting his land.

I, and many other people, demand to know what relevance is his illness to the boar and why do you see fit to link wild boar with a terrible illness that is hard enough to live with, without it being used as an excuse to score points in your favour.

I can only assume that you have resorted to publicly humiliating your readers because your poll "against" the boar running free in the Forest was a resounding failure and one I am sure will smart for a very long time. I would bet that this poor gentleman was not expecting this to be published for all to see and it is an appalling lack of moral standards to have done so.

How could a paper that considers itself to be a "local" paper for local people be so against the wild boar, the wildlife and anyone that dares to speak otherwise?

I can only urge your people not to read your paper and I only hope that they too see this report for what it really is.

By releasing this story people will see that you really are anti wildlife no matter what shape or form it arrives.

I can only offer the following advice which is that gutter press reports will serve no purpose nor have a place in an area that can only be described as a beautiful place to live surrounded by fantastic and sometimes rare wildlife.

Perhaps you are aware of the wildlife conservationists who are friends of the boar? You will be (or if not, should be) aware that they also offer a service to anyone who calls them to go along and repair damage caused by the boar and at the same time give helpful advice on how to avoid issues in the future.

It should also be reported that these guys actually all have full-time jobs but they still go along to help and more importantly, help with no fuss, no biased views and never charge for the work undertaken. In fact they are attempting to educate the residents.

It worries me tremendously when we get such negative stories printed especially when it is clear for all to see that in actual fact you have not done your homework nor have you investigated any positive avenues before slating the wild boar. What will the paper pick on next ? Let's get all the birdlife culled, how dare they fly over the Forest and have a free life!

I shall look forward to seeing this letter printed within your paper and reading an apology to the unfortunate gentleman and the readers who are suffering due to your complete lack of understanding and caring, whilst reporting complete twaddle.

– David Webb, Exmoor.