Police searching for owner of dog that chased and fatally attacked deer in Richmond Park

A dog owner whose pet was filmed chasing and fatally attacking a deer in Richmond Park is being sought by police.

The dog, which appears to be a spaniel-type breed, was seen chasing a deer through the trees and across the road in footage posted by the Met Police on X.

"We would like to speak to the dog owner in relation to a fatal attack on a deer in Richmond Park yesterday at about 12:30pm near to Sheen Cross," the force said.

It is illegal to allow dogs to chase deer.

More than 600 red and fallow deer live in Richmond Park, which is a national nature reserve.

The Royal Parks website says it is alerted to a number of incidents "every year" involving dogs chasing deer.

"As well as causing extreme stress to the deer, this can also result in a stampede, or in the deer running across the road and into oncoming traffic to escape," it says.

"Owners of dogs who chase wildlife in the Parks could face criminal prosecution."

(c) Sky News 2024: Police searching for owner of dog that chased and fatally attacked deer in Richmond Park