149 dog chases and attacks highlight ‘serious accidents waiting to happen’ during deer birthing season

The Royal Parks charity has recorded 149 incidents of ‘dogs off lead’ chasing and attacking deer in the last 28 months*, warning visitors that they are putting themselves and others at risk of a serious injury, or worse.

The charity which manages London’s eight Royal Parks says that dogs must be on leads during deer birthing season, from 1 May until 31 July in Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

The rule helps reduce the chance of protective deer being startled at close range; a situation that can quickly turn into accidents causing serious injury to visitors, dogs, and deer.

There are 180 Volunteer Rangers operating across the two parks, engaging with visitors, and sharing information about the importance of keeping dogs on leads.

Deer are excellent mothers and highly protective of their young. They hide newborns in bracken and long grass to conceal them from dogs and other perceived predators. But while deer are instinctively frightened of dogs, mothers will overcome that fear if they believe their young are at risk, chasing or striking out.

The charity has recorded numerous serious incidents caused as a result of dogs chasing deer which include multiple herd stampedes triggered by dog chases, including one stampede that knocked a young boy on a bike; and a Dobermann chasing red deer across Chestnut Avenue, causing visitors to scatter.

Paul Richards, Park Manager, Richmond Park, said: 

“During birthing season, an off-lead dog chasing a herd could turn a calm moment in the park into a critical encounter, within a heartbeat.

"A dog running ahead could panic a protective mother, triggering her to behave in an unpredictable and aggressive manner if she thinks her young are threatened, with incredibly serious consequences for people nearby.

“Please prevent avoidable accidents. Keep your dog close and on a lead. If you see deer ahead, slow down, pull back your dog and calmly create distance, taking a wider path around the deer.

“Don’t be the accident waiting to happen. Ensure your visit is a day to remember, not an experience to forget.”

During this sensitive time for the deer, the safest option is not to walk your dog in either Richmond Park or Bushy Park. Owners who choose, at their own risk, to walk their dog in Richmond Park or Bushy Park during this season should be on high alert for female deer, avoid long grass and bracken and keep to wider paths.

Paul Richards adds: 

“Please don’t touch or move a newborn deer; its mother is likely to be nearby. If you’re worried, the safest thing is to keep your distance and leave the area. Handling a young deer puts you at risk and could harm the animal.”