When animals go bad

Photograph: Suzanne Giovanetti/AP
As the attention of the globe is diverted by the World Cup, something sinister appears to be happening under our noses - yes, the animal kingdom has decided to go quietly mad, writes Peter Walker.

Quirky animal stories - from the apocryphal skateboarding duck onwards - are a regular staple of newspapers and television news bulletins during the so-called silly season.

But this summer, not only have the stories begun earlier than usual, they are of a number and quality to delight the connoisseur.

At the weekend came the story of Jack the tabby cat, whose territorial nature saw him chase a black bear which had strayed into the family garden in New Jersey up a tree.