Horror moment deer desperately runs from out-of-control dog before being mauled in Titchfield Canal
A YOUNG deer was mauled by an out-of-control dog in a “disgusting” attack.
Horrifying pictures show the roebuck running away from the black and white pointer as the dog's owner desperately tries to pull him back in Titchfield Canal, Hampshire.
Wildlife photographer David Luetchford captured the horror attack on Thursday on his camera while waiting to take pictures of owls.
David said: "All of sudden we looked round and saw this black and white pointer dog, effectively attacking this young roebuck.
"The dog had corners it up a fence, the deer try tied to get away, the dog was biting the deer's legs.
"I've been on African safaris and I've seen it all, but this was not acceptable to watch a domestic dog attack a deer in the British countryside.
"It was one of the worst things I've seen happen by a dog."
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David said the dog was “utterly out of control”, adding: “I tried to distract the dog by shouting but it didn't make a difference.
"The deer managed to get away but it was injured and couldn't jump over the second fence.
"It ran but the dog chased it."
He claimed the owner appeared around five minutes later - and had to tug the dog away.
David continued: “I needed to know if the deer was still alive or not.
“I found the animal on its side, it was still alive and breathing, but the rear end of it had been eaten.”
David called the police who “took control” of the situation, with two armed response vehicles turning up shortly after.
He claimed cops were later forced to shoot the animal dead, adding: “We heard a shot, the officers then left the animal there, for the foxes, it all goes back into nature.”
It comes just weeks after Freddie the Seal was mauled by an out-of-control dog near Hammersmith Bridge in west London.
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A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: "We were called at 8.09am on Thursday 6 May with reports of an incident involving a dog near Titchfield canal, during which a deer became injured.
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"Police attended and the deer was dispatched humanely by police to prevent any further unnecessary suffering.
"Officers will be making further enquiries and will be speaking with the dog owner."