Deer killed and injured after spike in dog attacks

Farnham Park ranger Nick Macfarlane and councillor Kika Mirylees are raising awareness of dog attacks on deer

Two deer have been killed and another injured in just three months after being attacked by dogs in a Surrey park.

Nick Macfarlane has been the ranger at Farnham Park since 2018 and is urging owners to keep their dogs on leads so they cannot chase and harm the deer.

Councillor Kika Mirylees, from Waverley Borough Council, also had a message for owners, saying: "You take advantage of this beautiful place, you should use it with respect and respect for others."

Wildlife Aid, in Leatherhead, said the best way to prevent deer coming to harm is by keeping untrained dogs on a lead.

The 320-acre Farnham Park nature reserve has remained unchanged for roughly 600 years and is home to wild deer, mainly roe deer.

Mr Macfarlane says he sees "peaks and troughs" in the number of deer attacks and having to take the injured animals to be euthanised is "harrowing".

He said: "I didn't realise it was part of the job description - as a site manager you feel a bit responsible."

A fawn hiding in grass in Farnham Park

Mirylees, meanwhile, has hit out at the "despicable" behaviour of those who allow their dogs to run off the lead around the deer.

"If you want to let your dog off the lead, go down the beach," she said.

"Apart from anything else, can you imagine just walking along and having to witness that, children having to see it?

"As for those people who haven't got the decency to come and say sorry, they really ought to do something to make up for it. They are despicable frankly.

"You should look after your animals properly and train them properly."

Judith Montfort Font, a vet at Wildlife Aid, told the BBC: "The main problem for the deer is the stressful situation, deer are very, very sensitive to stress."

Deer can experience muscular ruptures during chases, which combined with stress can lead to a condition called capture myopathy.

In severe cases, capture myopathy can cause death.

"My advice is prevention, keep dogs on a lead if they are not trained to be around wild animals," said Ms Montfort Font.