Woman killed by pack of wild boars outside Texas home

A woman in Texas has been killed by a pack of wild boars in south-east Texas.

Christine Rollins, 59, was attacked in Anahuac, east of Houston, outside a home where she worked as a caregiver to an elderly woman.

Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne told reporters on Monday: “In my 35 years I will tell you it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever seen.”

The victim was found by the 84-year-old woman she worked for after failing to show up for her shift on Sunday.

Christine Rollins was a month away from her 60th birthday when she was killed

“No doubt in my mind that it was multiple animals and we can tell that from the different sizes of the bites,” said Sheriff Hawthorne, adding that the homeowner’s dogs appear to have chased away the hogs before Rollins’ body was discovered.

The sheriff said neighbours had recently complained about rampant feral hogs, and officials have since laid traps for them.

“This is a very rare incident – [from] just what little research we have found there’s less than six of these that have been reported in the nation,” he said.

Wild boars – sometimes called hogs in the US – can weigh between 100 and 400lbs (45 to 180kg). Their population in Texas has risen to 1.5m in recent years.

Maine: Reports of unleashed dogs biting visitors cause concern in Acadia

On Tuesday, August 13, Acadia National Park officials said there were three instances of dogs running off leash and biting visitors this week alone.

Author: Chloe Teboe

After multiple reports of visitors getting bitten by dogs, rangers at Acadia National Park are reminding the public about certain regulations that accompany bringing a furry friend to the area.

RELATED: What to do before and during a dog attack, according to trainers

According to a tweet sent out by the park on Tuesday, August 13, there were three instances of dogs running off leash and biting visitors this week alone.

Acadia National Park

✔@AcadiaNPS

Rangers report there were three instances of visitors being bitten by dogs running off leash in Acadia this week alone. Regulations require all pets to be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 m). More at http://go.nps.gov/AcadiaPets 

As a result, rangers are reminding visitors that all pets that come to the park must be on a leash no longer than six feet. They also should not be left unattended, since hot summer sun can threaten the safety of animals — especially in cars. 

RELATED: 3 dogs found dead inside hot car in Jamestown, Rhode Island

As is typical with most public spots, pet owners must remove any waste from campground and picnic areas, parking lots, roads, and other developed places.

Acadia has designated pet-friendly areas, which include:

• 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads
• Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds
• Isle au Haut (for day hiking)

Officials say most lakes in the park are public water supplies, so pets and people may not swim in them.

Also off-limits are:

• Sand Beach and Echo Lake
• public buildings
• ranger-led programs
• Wild Gardens of Acadia
• Duck Harbor Campground

Service Animals are allowed to accompany their owners to all park locations.

To read a complete list of park trails that are closed to pets or that are not recommended for pets, click here.