When the attack happened, tourists Laura Guttuso and her husband were on Mount Amiata in Tuscany.
Aggressive wild boars
The couple, accompanied by their two dogs, spotted the family of wild boars near a refreshment area on the mountain. They tried to remain calm and silent to avoid provoking them. However, the wild boars, seemingly agitated by the dogs' presence, became aggressive.
The mother boar charged at the dogs, resulting in a brief but intense scuffle.
Lucky escape
Fortunately, the dogs, though headbutted and kicked by the boars, did not suffer serious injuries. The wild boars eventually retreated, and the couple's pets were able to escape with minor injuries.
There’s been growing concerns about wildlife interactions in the area. Similar conflicts have led to severe consequences for animals, such as the case of a bear, KJ1, who was killed in Trento after attacking a tourist. However, animal rights groups argue that wildlife only behaves aggressively when feeling threatened or protecting their young.
The Guttuso couple hopes that the wild boars will not face repercussions for only doing what comes naturally to defend their family.
