Deer killed in suspected ‘blood sport’ dog attacks

Deer have been killed in a nature reserve in suspected dog attacks.

Animal welfare officers fear the deaths of a number of animals may have been as a result of vicious blood sport.

The Scottish SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) said the maulings at Mosswater Nature reserve in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, could be a case of illegal coursing.

It comes after a member of the public reported finding four mutilated deer in the area over the past three to four weeks.

The Scottish SPCA also treated a deer suffering from ‘injuries consistent with a dog attack’ at the same reserve on February 20. They had to be put down.

Scottish SPCA inspector Jack Marshall said: ‘It could be simply that there’s a local dog owner not paying attention to what their dog is getting up to when it’s off-lead. We would remind dog owners that it is an offence for your dog to be out of control in any public or private place

‘It’s also possible this could be organised deer coursing, which is a crime.

‘either way, being attacked by a dog is a horrendous way for these deer to die.

‘A horrendous way to die’

They will have spent their last moments extremely distressed and suffering massive amounts of pain and fear.’

Last year, Police Scotland recorded an 82 per cent increase in reports of wildlife crime, compared with the same period the previous year. Between April and September 2020, officers recorded 203 wildlife crime offences.

They were also forced to release images of dogs injured by the illegal practice of badger baiting in a bid to curb the sport.

■ A BADGER suffered ‘terribly’ before having to be put down after it was deliberately snared, police have said.

Officers in the highlands have launched two investigations over the snaring of an animal and the blocking of a sett at Blackfold, near Inverness.

The sett was found on March 19 and had been blocked with rocks. In a separate incident the following day near Balnain, Inverness-shire, a badger was found with a snare wrapped around its neck.

Constable Daniel Sutherland said: ‘‘The badger found with the snare received significant injury and suffered terribly.’