Hello fello pigge keepers. I am located on the edge of the Forest of Dean I keep a couple of pigs just because I enjoy their company and they help keep an area of woodland bramble and weed free. Last year I had a break in by an unknown boar. The consequence is my sow was in pig. She farrowed down in late March the consequence was some beautiful piggies. As the sow had always lived a free roaming life with her sister she resisted farrowing in a nice stone warm sty. She opted for out side in the cold and wet and right next to a stock proof fence. In the end I ended up hand rearing all the babies from the start ( long story ) I successfully hand reared 11 babies with the help of my Maremma. They are the most awesome friendly little creatures now about 9 months old. In December I sent the boys of to slaughter as becoming a handful. They produced amazing lean meat and every one that had some were blown aways with the taste.
I am left with 6 girls every day they follow me out from the stable they live in to fields and woodland they have to enjoy a good couple of acres.
This is my problem. I have various footpaths that cross my fields and woods. The main one is the offers Dyke which I fenced in on both sides creating a corridor for walkers. This path is smack bang in the middle of a my land. I installed 2 gates between the corridor so animals can cross the land and not wander up the foot path corridor.
First issue is I am told I am not allowed the gates I have installed and they must not be used as I have no permission and the foot path officer has indicated even if I apply I won't get consent. My response was ok then ill remove the gates and animals will then be able to walk in the foot path corridor which is not a great solution in my opinion.
I am then told if the animals / piggies walk in the corridor and cause a nuisance then they will take action as people could be put of from walking the path. This pisses me right of as its a field with animals in !!!!
Next issue is one of the girls followed the footpath officer in to the corridor gate not closed properly by previous person ? Who knows. He states he felt uncomfortable and one tried to bite him. This is absolute rubbish they are curious they will follow and might nibble never bite I'm 100% certain of this as I raised them and I know my animals.
Now the council have come back and said they must be registered as dangerous animals as they are first generation hybrid wild boar. I say to them prove it !!! I am surrounded by free roaming wild boar thats not an issue and no licensing needed and no one takes responsibility. I have some possible crosses and I am penalised.
I spoke to a wild boar breeder in Scotland who tells me hybrid don't need licensing. However when I read the dangerous animals act I don't think that information is correct.
I refuse to be forced in to registering my pigs under the dangerous animals act this has huge implications the keeping and fencing.
My arguments are.
1. Any boar in the forest are already hybrids
2. Prove my pigs are first generation hybrid
3. Prove they have more than 50% boar DNA
I spoke to an ecologist for the boar/ deer trust who thinks it would be very difficult for the council to take enforcement.
Thoughts ?
All my pigs are PINK !
Little video you all might enjoy.
https://youtu.be/zpBalu9rOZI