A panicked wild boar tore through central Zaragoza on the final night of the Fiestas del Pilar, charging into a packed bar and injuring a woman before the owner and customers stabbed it to death. Animal rights campaigners are furious and have now forced an official investigation, turning one chaotic night into a public argument about self-defence, urban wildlife and what cities should do when a large animal shows up uninvited.

Chaos on the streets then inside the bar

Local police first received calls around 12.40am on October 18 reporting a boar racing through the city centre. Units from local and national police, firefighters and an animal rescue team tried to herd it out of town and hopefully back to the woodland where it belonged. Instead the panicked sprinting animal of around 50 kg carried on careering through the streets. Video shows it sprinting along tram tracks near Plaza de España while late-night crowds watched.

It finally ducked into El Jardín del Temple, a busy nightlife spot in the Casco Viejo. Inside the crowded bar it charged a woman, leaving her with minor injuries. Some accounts say it also bit someone. The bar owner, described by witnesses as a hunter, and several others then killed the animal with a knife. Police arrived to find it already dead. Earlier Euro Weekly News coverage captured the initial chase and the injury.

Amnistía Animal complaint and SEPRONA investigation

Amnistía Animal quickly labelled the killing unnecessary and “a sangre fría” (in cold blood). The group filed a complaint with SEPRONA, the Guardia Civil’s nature protection unit, which has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the death and the animal’s origin. Campaigners want to know whether the boar came from nearby woods, the Huerva river area or was released deliberately. They also demand a clear local government protocol so that trained staff, not private individuals, handle future cases with sedation and release options rather than knives. Heraldo reported the SEPRONA probe after the complaint was filed.

On 24 October roughly fifty people marched in Plaza España, some wearing boar masks and setting up a small altar with flowers and drawings. Chants included “No es fiesta si hay violencia”. The planned walk to the bar itself was restricted because of another event at the same time. Activists have also criticised the city council for what they see as a lack of preparation. El Periódico de Aragón covered the demonstration.

Were the people in the bar justified?

Supporters of the bar regulars argue they faced an immediate threat in a confined space. A wild boar, even a smaller one, can knock people over, bite and, if it has tusks, cause deep cuts. In a crowded festival bar there was little room to manoeuvre and no time to wait for specialist teams. The priority, they say, was stopping further injury once the animal had already charged someone.

Critics counter that the boar was frightened rather than aggressive, that clearing the bar and waiting might have worked, and that stabbing was disproportionate. They point out that police were already on the streets and that professional wildlife handlers should have been called. Spanish cities are seeing more of these encounters as boar numbers rise and animals learn to use urban food sources. Similar cases have been reported elsewhere, including a woman charged by a boar while walking in northern Spain.

Broader pressure on Spanish cities

Wild boar populations have grown across Spain because of milder winters, more food and fewer natural predators. Catalonia has paid hunters to cull animals partly because of disease risks to livestock. In places such as Mijas, the animals regularly dig up public gardens and cost councils tens of thousands of euros in repairs. Malaga has even contracted archers to manage urban boar numbers. Zaragoza’s episode is unusual only because it happened in the middle of one of the country’s biggest festivals and ended with private citizens taking lethal action.

SEPRONA’s investigation will look at whether any offence was committed and whether better procedures are needed. For many residents the practical question remains simpler: if a large wild animal is already inside a bar and has injured someone, what else are the people there supposed to do?

Were the people in the bar justified? Or, should they have waited for the authorities to arrive before acting? This is what any investigation will focus on.

How great to have a night out, enjoy some food, test your brain and do some good? Bridges Bar is hosting a charity quiz with dinner, music and raffle prizes, all in aid of local animal rescue, organised by a well-loved friend of the community.

Pop 7pm on Monday, November 2 into your diary. Tickets cost €15 per person and includes the quiz and a hot buffet, so dinner is sorted and no washing up required.

Three quizzes in one evening

Organisers have lined up three separate rounds: General Knowledge, Music and a Marathon quiz. Teams can play to different strengths, so if history is not your forte, the music round might be your moment to shine. A raffle with prizes runs through the night too, giving everyone one more chance to go home a winner, and music will keep the atmosphere buzzing even if you don’t answer a single question.

Where the money goes

PADS, the Protectora de Animales Domesticos Mijas Costa, will receive all proceeds raised on the night. It runs a small shelter that tries to save as many animals as possible, though a lack of food, veterinary care and donations can limit what volunteers achieve. Organisers say the funds will support the rescue, care and rehoming of animals across the area.

How to book your place

Spaces are reserved directly with Jack on 620 786 772. Call him to book a spot for yourself or your whole team.

Anyone who has settled on the Costa del Sol knows how welcoming the community can be, and a charity quiz is a lovely way to meet neighbours, make new friends and catch up with familiar faces. You do not need to be a trivia expert, as a sense of humour and a healthy appetite will carry you a long way. Gather friends, neighbours or the regulars from your local, invent a daft team name and come hungry. A fun Monday evening out could help animals find safety and, one day, a loving home.

After months of summer restrictions, barbecue season is back in full swing across the Costa del Sol. But Mijas local government and police are reminding residents that one careless fire could have serious consequences, particularly at a popular recreation area covered by trees and close to vulnerable countryside.

The Ayuntamiento de Mijas has issued a warning urging people to take extra care when using the public barbecues at Parque El Esparragal, near Mijas Golf.

The park is a popular spot for family birthday parties, weekend gatherings and outdoor meals, with free public barbecue facilities available for visitors. However, its location presents particular concerns when it comes to preventing wildfires.

With local people making the most of the milder autumn weather after a long, hot summer, the park is once again attracting people keen to get together around a traditional barbecue. Local police patrols have also been seen in the area, underlining the importance of responsible behaviour when using the facilities.

Why El Esparragal is a major concern

The park has extensive tree cover and lies close to areas where a fire could spread into surrounding vegetation, including the Entrerrios area.

A barbecue may appear harmless when used in a designated cooking area, but embers can escape, while hot ash and improperly extinguished charcoal can pose a danger long after the cooking has finished.

Mijas has previously explained that El Esparragal falls within a forest-influence zone, making it subject to seasonal restrictions on the use of fire. The council has specifically identified the park as being within 400 metres of forest land in its previous warning about barbecue restrictions at El Esparragal.

Under Andalucian regulations, the highest fire-risk period normally runs from June 1 to October 15. However, the rules governing fires in forest and forest-influence areas depend on the location and the activity involved. Residents should consult the Andalucian government’s forest fire prevention rules and follow any local instructions.

The danger is not theoretical. In July 2025, a wildfire spread around Mijas Golf, with firefighters working through the night to contain the flames.

How to barbecue responsibly

Residents using the facilities should take particular care to make sure that fires are properly controlled and completely extinguished after use.

Practical precautions include:

• Never leave a lit barbecue unattended.
• Keep combustible materials away from the cooking area.
• Make sure charcoal and embers are completely extinguished before leaving.
• Dispose of ash safely rather than leaving hot residue behind.
• Follow any signs, instructions or temporary restrictions issued by the authorities.

El Esparragal provides a valuable public space for families and residents to enjoy the outdoors. Taking sensible precautions can help keep it available for everyone without putting nearby homes, woodland and countryside at risk.