Dead deer found dumped in bag in Sunderland alleyway

Nicola Dodds, 47, came cross the bloodied remains of the animal while out walking her dogs in Grangetown.

The support worker said: "At first I thought the bag had rabbits in it, there are lads that go hare hunting with dogs nearby. I had a closer look and realised it was a small deer. It's ear had been ripped clean off and the bag was bloodied.

"It breaks my heart as I always see the little rabbits when I'm walking my dog and then hear of them being killed, but there's no deer anywhere near here. It's barbaric, these people are living in medieval times where they get pleasure out of harming poor defenceless animals for fun."

Nicola said it wasn't the first time that bags containing animal carcasses had been carelessly dumped in the alleyway in Hill View housing.

She added: "A few months ago there was a bag of dead chicks discarded and in the past there have been rabbits, but to have a deer around these parts is unheard of. There's nowhere nearby it could have come from. There were three bags round the body, so someone had to have been prepared to shift the weight, maybe they got spooked and dropped it but either way something's not right."

Sunderland City Council said: "Following a call this morning (Friday 21 October), from a member of the public alerting us to a dead deer in in an alleybetween Leechmere Road and Westheath Avenue, Environmental Services Officers quickly attended and removed the animal. It has been taken away and will be collected for cremation."

An RSPCA spokesperson said: "This sounds like a very sad discovery by a member of the public and it must have been distressing for them. We have not received any reports about it, but would urge anyone who does have information about the circumstances of the deer’s death to contact the RSPCA'shotline on 0300 1234 999.

"The RSPCA's Living with Dear leaflet has some helpful advice on what to do if you find an injured, dead or orphaned deer."