Brilliant to see deer rescued from fencing - RSPCA

The deer was spotted in a field in Norton Canes.

Animal rescuers have said it was "brilliant" to see a stag walk away into woodland after they freed its antlers from barbed wire and electric fencing.

The large, red deer had become "well and truly stuck", with his crowning glory completely entangled at a field off Washbrook Lane in Norton Canes, Staffordshire, the RSPCA said.

Responding to a call from the public, rescuers arrived and sedated the animal before cutting him free.

"Thankfully, there were no injuries, and so we waited at a distance and watched him walk off into the treeline - it was a brilliant sight," deputy chief inspector Vicki Taylor said.

The deer was sedated so he could be freed.

The team worked with a local vet to treat the red deer - one of the UK's largest deer species.

"This poor stag was well and truly stuck with his antlers completely entangled in electric fencing and barbed wire," Ms Taylor said.

"My fellow officers worked with a local vet who sedated the deer - they were then able to cut the wiring and fencing free of the deer's antlers."

Ms Taylor said they were concerned about stressing the stag, something to which deer were particularly susceptible, with trapped deer often not surviving for long. However, the rescue on 27 January was a complete success, she added.

"It's wonderful on this occasion, after a careful assessment, that we were able to release the deer back to the wild," she stated.

"It's always the best part of the job to see such a beautiful, powerful animal finally free."

The freed deer was left alone before walking away into trees.