Hunters Ask For Permission To Kill Boars In Riverside's Fairmount Park; Police Says No

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — After a large group of wild boars was spotted at Riverside's Fairmount Park last week, some local hunters are asking for permission to kill the animals.

Hunters in recent days have called county and state officials offering to help get rid of the boars, KCAL9's Tina Patel reports.

Still, Riverside police officers say they don't allow any hunting in the park, which is often full of families.

"There's no hunting allowed here in the city of Riverside," officer Ryan Railsback said. "We don't want to risk anybody getting hurt or shot or anything."

The boars are believed to have come from the nearby Santa Ana river bottom. They come to the park to feed, leaving behind torn-up turf as they dig around for critters and plants.

A longtime Riverside resident said she's seen the boars before and found them to be shy, nonthreatening animals.

"They're afraid of people, they stay to themselves," Riverside resident Suzanne Cesari said. "I have lived around here since 1993 and they have a very low profile."

Another resident said he'd like to see a more aggressive approach.

"I think they should do something about them, because they are dangerous," said Ted Greer, who came to the park Thursday to photograph the animals. "They get aggressive, and I think the city should trap them or do something."