Farmer forced to kill massive wild boar after animal rights protestors released his herd

But the task of bringing down this beast was more of a grim duty than a trophy hunt.

It is one of up to 175 wild boar which have been roaming the countryside in Devon and Somerset, breeding scores of boarlets, tearing up crops and terrorising dog walkers.

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Two years ago Mr Dedames, who farms the beasts at East Anstey, North Devon, was the victim of animal rights activists who mounted a series of attacks on his property, destroying fencing and setting free 100 of his stock.

A quarter of the animals were pregnant sows, and he believes that more than 175, the biggest weighing a third of a ton, could now be rooting through the undergrowth.

Since the attacks, Devon has become a mecca for hunters keen to bag themselves a prize.

Mr Dedames now has just a few left on his farm. Unfortunately, like this fellow, they will all have to be shot, as this week Mr Dedames lost an appeal against North Devon District Council's decision not to renew his dangerous wild animals licence.

A council spokesman said: "The farm was not covered by public liability insurance and Mr Dedames had failed to install an alarm system and electric fencing, which were conditions of the licence."

Mr Dedames said: "Twelve years ago I was told to diversify by the Government. I did just that, but since then local government has done nothing but hindered my business to the point of destruction."