Deer killed after attack by two off-lead dogs

A deer has died after a "catastrophic" attack by two off-lead dogs in a nature reserve, a wildlife reserve said.

Stanwick Lakes, a charity that runs the Northamptonshire site and popular countryside attraction, said it happened at its dogs off-lead area, along a path towards Thrapston.

It said although dogs were allowed in the area they should be kept under control and the pets were "very clearly not under close control and the owner did not inform anyone of this incident".

It said it was alerted about the attack from a member of the public, a vet was called, but the muntjac deer, which had no chance of survival, died after "suffering for at least 40 minutes".

The site said a ranger called for veterinary advice straight away and kept people and dogs away to keep the deer's stress levels as low as possible.

"We at Stanwick Lakes love welcoming dogs to our site and we have always been, and hope to continue to be, a great dog walking destination," a spokesperson said.

"However, it is our duty to protect the wildlife that lives here.

"If a dog is deemed to be 'dangerously out of control' in a public space, owners can be fined, prosecuted and the dog can be seized."

It asked for walkers to keep dogs on leads across the whole reserve and to only let them off-lead in the specified area, and even then, only "if you are fully confident you can maintain close control of your dog".

To stress the importance, they said they would be installing new and additional signage "to make expectations around dog control as clear as possible" and working closely with the regional dog warden to ensure the right support and guidance was in place.

They added it was even more important as we enter spring with birds looking to build nests and lay eggs.

"Even the most well-behaved and nature-loving dogs can cause significant harm simply by straying off the path," they said.

It comes after the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire closed a Cambridgeshire ancient woodland after repeated instances of dogs being off leads, and of owners abusing staff and volunteers.

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