Wild boar are increasingly attacking residents and their dogs in Marbella, locals have claimed.
Residents in the Carib Playa area of Artola-Cabopino have reported a wave of such incidents over the past two weeks.
Several claim they were charged by the animals while walking their dogs, reports Area Costa del Sol.
Neighbours say they have raised their concerns with the Las Chapas district office, calling on the town hall to take urgent action.
According to residents, the wild boar are becoming more aggressive and in some cases have attacked even when they are not accompanied by piglets, something locals say is particularly worrying.
They also claim the attacks occur regardless of the size of the dog being walked, which has created anxiety among people who regularly walk through the residential area near surrounding natural spaces.
Wild boar sightings in urbanised parts of the Costa del Sol have become increasingly common in recent years.
The animals, belonging to the species Sus scrofa, are now frequently seen in parks, housing estates, private gardens, golf courses and even near the coastline as they search for food and water.
Experts say the shift in behaviour is partly linked to changes in the landscape over recent decades.
The decline of traditional farming and extensive livestock grazing has allowed scrubland and secondary forests to expand, creating ideal habitats for wild boar.
At the same time, urban areas offer easy access to water from irrigated gardens and golf courses, as well as food scraps and green spaces where the animals can shelter.
Residents in Carib Playa are now urging Marbella council to introduce measures to control the growing wild boar population and improve safety in an area where encounters with the animals in streets, parks and paths near homes are becoming increasingly common.
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