Dogs kill deer in Minchinhampton area of Stroud

Police are appealing for information after dogs attacked and killed a deer in Stroud earlier this month.

It was reported that two dogs, a tan Lurcher and small black Terrier, had chased and attacked the deer within a private woodland in Hazelwood, Minchinhampton.

This took place at around 10am on Sunday 7 September and left the deer with fatal injuries.

Officers are asking the owner of the dogs, or anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened, to make contact.

Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 150 of 7 September: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Dog owners must ensure that a field or area has no livestock in it before letting their pet off the lead. It is the law to keep your dog under control and the responsibility falls with the owner.

Allowing a dog to worry or attack livestock is a criminal offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

When walking dogs in rural areas, dog owners are advised about the following:

• Always ensure your dog is under control in an area where there are livestock or wild animals;
• If your dog is not good with other animals or people, avoid letting them off their lead when others are around;
• Don't allow people who may not be confident in doing so or have full control over the animal to walk your dog;
• Remember where there may be no livestock in a field one day, the same location could be full of animals the next;
• Ultimately a landowner by law, and as a last resort for protecting their livestock, is able to shoot a dog which they believe is worrying sheep. Police must be notified within 48 hours if this course of action is taken.