Four people have been attacked and injured by a wild boar in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan.

Police say a wild boar attacked two men in their 50s and 60s on the premises of a company in Toyota City at around 5:30 a.m. on Monday.

Local fire department officials say what is believed to be the same boar later attacked another man apparently in his 60s, who was riding a bicycle near an intersection about 800 meters from the initial attack site. The animal then attacked a man apparently in his 80s near an auto factory.

The four individuals reportedly suffered hand, knee or other injuries.

The boar was captured by police and others shortly after 7 a.m. on a road close to where the man on the bicycle was attacked.

Homes, factories and an elementary school are located near where the attacks occurred.

The city's education board says the incidents have not affected commuting and other school operations.

Police say they received other reports of wild boar sightings on Monday morning. They say the reported animal may have been the one that was captured.

City officials are asking residents not to leave food outside. They are also calling on people to avoid shouting or disturbing wild boars and to flee the area if they see the animals.

NHK