Underwatertimes.com News Service - August 31, 2006 18:21 EST

An enraged dolphin is terrorising the French Atlantic coast, attacking boats and knocking fishermen into the sea.

"He's like a mad dog," said Hneri Le Lay, of the association of fishermen and yachtsmen of the port of Brezellec. The dolphin, named Jean Floch, has destroyed rowboats, overturned open boats, flooded engines and twisted mooring lines. Two fishermen were knocked into the sea when the dolphin overturned their boat. Its behaviour was attributed to sexual maturity.

Le Lay wants to put it to sleep. "I like dolphins, but this one should be removed or locked up." But researchers will soon be trying a repellent that will also be used on boats fishing for tuna.