The Royal Parks charity has issued a warning to dog-walkers to keep their pets on a lead when near deer, following a spate of attacks on the animals. The organisation, which looks after eight of London's Royal Parks, has witnessed an increase in dog attacks on deer in recent years.
According to the charity, deer are particularly vulnerable to attacks in areas with dense woodland, such as Richmond Park and Bushy Park. The charity is urging dog-walkers to be mindful of their pets' surroundings and to keep them on a lead at all times when near the deer.
The Royal Parks charity is also reminding dog-owners of their responsibility to ensure their pets do not attack or harass wildlife. The charity has seen a number of cases where dogs have attacked deer, resulting in serious injuries to both the animal and the dog.
The charity's warning comes ahead of the peak deer-viewing season, which typically takes place during the autumn months. During this time, large numbers of people visit the parks to see the deer, and the charity is concerned that this could lead to an increase in dog attacks.
The Royal Parks charity is working with local authorities to raise awareness about the issue and to educate dog-owners about their responsibilities. The charity is also urging dog-walkers to report any incidents of dog attacks on deer to the authorities.