Wombat 'chewed through the sock' of one victim, attacked friends around a fire

One victim was in need of surgery on his calf after wombat bit his leg

Angry wombat attacked people for several weeks in small Tasmanian town

A wombat has been captured and killed after weeks of terrorising people in a small town in north Tasmania.

Several people have been referred to hospital within the last few weeks suffering from wombat bites and scratches - one even needing surgery for a calf wound.

Just last week the angry marsupial attacked a group of friends around a campfire.

A wombat has been captured and killed after weeks of terrorising people (stock image)

One victim told The Australian: 'I felt something hairy behind my leg and thought it must have been a dog.

'It was only when it started scratching at my leg that I realised it was a wombat.

'One bloke had his right toe injured, it chewed through the sock. Someone else had his trousers chewed through, so the wombat was being quite ­aggressive with us.'

Tasmania's Environment Department spokesman Ben Davidson confirmed the wombat was caught and killed and told the publication that department had 'received a number of reports of a specific wombat displaying aggressive behaviour towards people, including children, near Weymouth'.

'Following an investigation and acting on veterinary advice, in the interests of public safety the animal was euthanised by a wildlife officer.

'These types of reports are not common in Tasmania,' Mr Davidson added.