Antler-social behaviour
Village under siege from aggressive deer as they charge dog walkers, scratch cars and trash gardens (and don’t even mention their poo)
THEY are known as the monarchs of the glen. But for the residents of one village, an influx of deer has become a right royal pain.
Cars have been damaged and gardens trashed as a growing number of the animals roam around Lochinver, Sutherland.
The wild deer are said to have become increasingly aggressive – charging, chasing and rearing up at people who cross their path.
They are being blamed for traffic accidents, an infestation of ticks and for fouling the streets, grass and local playground.
Now, with residents feeling like they are under siege, the community council is considering hiring trained marksmen to launch a cull. Last night, council chairman Phil
‘I looked over shoulder and he was chasing me’
Jones said: ‘Increasing numbers of deer wandering freely along the streets of Lochinver have become a major issue.
‘Tick infestation locally has intensified and there have been a number of cases of Lyme disease.
‘Deer feeding inside the children’s play park and defecating in public spaces are of particular concern. There have also been reports of stags behaving aggressively when anyone crosses their path – especially at night.
‘A controlled cull would provide an effective solution but we acknowledge this extreme measure will prove unpopular with a number of locals, which is why we are inviting comments and opinions before taking the next step.’
Deer have long been seen around Lochinver and have been popular in the village, especially with tourists. But growing numbers of stags and hinds in gardens have ruined vegetable beds and flower displays. Fences designed to keep them out are proving futile.
The stags in particular have become increasingly aggressive.
The animals are also damaging and scratching vehicles as they wander around car parks. Bed and breakfast owner Mary Kelly, 51, was walking her dog Marley when she encountered a stag at a local football pitch.
She said: ‘He got a few feet away and I got such a fright, so I started to run. It might have been the wrong thing to do but it was instinct – his antlers were huge.
‘I looked over my shoulder and realised he was chasing me – I was terrified. Luckily, he stopped when I made it to the other side of the road. An elderly person or someone who couldn’t run would have been in real trouble.’
Butcher Stephen Greenlees, 60, had a similar experience, saying: ‘I was walking the dog on the path behind the play park and I saw a hind and her fawn coming towards us. Instead of running away, she panicked and came at us, and then reared up on her back legs.’
One mother described how her children become covered in ticks every time they play in the garden, and described the problem is ‘out of control’.