Just as they think, perhaps, that there is time out for a well-earned break, the lines of communication start to get frazzled. A warning! Animals in the heat, need air, water and a peaceful corner to hunker down.

For humans, the heat provokes all sorts of uncharacteristic behaviour, but with animals, it is harder to tell in advance. Having first-hand experience with wild boar, storming the property, it is with no pleasure that the idea of making contact with the locals who know someone who knows someone. With a gun. A hunter. Everyone and each animal in this world, has a right to have its space. Sometimes, it is not by choice, where it ends up. All we can hope for, that it is well looked after and has a dignified life.

Unfair, but there is a catch-22. If you let animals populate and re-populate without control, there is a price to pay. We know that with feral cats. There are thousands of them within established colonies across the Algarve. They need feeding, sterilisation and care. Even though, they are small and to some perhaps, an insignificant problem within our universe, there are animals who are, when left to their own devices, can be placed in the list of ‘terrorists’.

A family of wild boar or Portuguese ‘Javali’ is not a pretty sight, when hungry, especially thirsty and on the rampage. Nor are a pack of unwieldy hunting dogs. In an effort to keep down the unwarranted attention of wild pigs the local hunters, rely on their hunting dogs. Trained to do just that. Hunt. However, It can all go wrong.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

As APAA’s President, Jenny Clarke has tried to keep up with the calls for help. “The list has been long and varied.” The Association for Protection of Animals Algarve, know only too well. “We’ve had worrying reports this year, worse than ever of herds of wild boar attacking property and pets. Unfortunately, the hunting dogs are also a problem.” If not kept controlled, they too can perform terrifying acts of behaviour on the local community.

“There’s a centre for disabled children, who have access to play with animals, reared at the home for enabling the youngsters to make contact and play with.” One night a pack of dogs broke into the fenced areas enclosing the property and killed or maimed a lot of the Meerkats, Peacocks and others. Devastating for the children, and of course the animals.”

Contact colinhearn998@gmail.com for help with the children’s centre.

Zelia.santos@live.co.uk Feral cats. info.apaaportugal@gmail.com. “We have asked for the members of the public to contact their local GNR.”