Young deer put down after dog chase at country park

A young deer was put down after being chased by a dog at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire.

James Dymond, director of Bradgate Park Trust, said rangers believed the deer was first injured by the dog and then injured itself while trying to get away.

Mr Dymond said the animal likely suffered brain damage as it was spotted "running in circles" following the incident on 10 December.

The owner of the dog was not found, he added.

Dogs must be kept on a lead in the lower part of the park, which is separated by a stone wall running parallel to the main path.

Above this, in the upper part of the park, dogs must be kept under control.

Mr Dymond asked dog owners to consider how their pets may react around deer.

He said: "You must know your dog, has it seen deer before?

"How is it going to respond around them? If you have any doubt, it should be on a lead.

"We are lucky that this is the first [incident] for a while after a flurry at the beginning of this year.

"We recognise that there are responsible owners that will call their dogs back at a moment's notice."

Mr Dymond said the deer herd at the park were wild, adding: "The only intervention they get from us is that we put some food down for the winter.

"They do not get treated in any way; there is no vet."

The trust said the incident was a "stark reminder" of the need for dog walkers to abide by the park's rules and reminded them that owners not complying with the Public Spaces Protection Order at the park would be fined.

It also apologised to visitors at the park who may have witnessed the incident.

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