A ‘stunning’ white stag which was spotted dashing through Liverpool has been killed.
The animal was secured in an industrial estate by police but it could not be safely rescued, so a marksman shot it dead, in contrary to RSPCA advice to leave it alone.
Videos showed the deer running past a car showroom in Bootle alongside NHS palliative care nurse Paula’s car as she drove to work on Sunday morning.
She was stunned to see it and said: ‘It must have been quite scared. I genuinely have no idea where it was from.’
Armed officers cornered the deer but the entire day passed and they couldn’t find a way to take it under their wing.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: ‘There were concerns for safety for motorists and armed response officers were able to secure the deer on an industrial estate off Melling Road.
‘A veterinary surgeon was called to monitor the animal’s welfare and assist the officers’ attempts to control the animal.
‘Unfortunately, we were unable to get assistance and as the hours went by the deer became more distressed.
‘There was no option to let the deer wander as it could be a danger to motorists and members of the public in the area, particularly as the hours of darkness approached.
‘As a result, a decision was made in the early evening to euthanise the deer.’
Animal protection charity RSPCA said the deer could have been sedated with a dart, but this risked startling it which could have ‘created a bigger public safety and animal welfare issue’.
A spokesperson added: ‘We gave advice to leave the deer as it would make its own way back home. In cases such as this where public safety is a consideration it is a matter for the police to deal with.’
The killing caused outrage among animal rights supporters and Liverpudlians.
Becky Jones said: ‘This is just horrendous, there’s many other ways this could have been handled, so bloody cruel!’
Kirst Hamlin said: ‘Should have been sedated and resettled in an area where others roam.
‘Absolutely rubbish they couldn’t get anyone to come and assist, there are loads of wildlife centres up and down the country that could have resettled him.’
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