Dirty tactics used for truffle war

A poor harvest and soaring demand for white truffles has sparked a turf war in the forests of Piedmont in northern Italy.

Car tyres have been slashed, paths scattered with nail barbs and poisoned meatballs planted in undergrowth to kill rival hunters' dogs.

Wholesale prices have jumped from €980 ($1668) to 1640 a kilogram in two weeks. Truffle-hunters' association head Piero Butto said: "Tactics are getting dirtier."