Graphic photos in this article to show the real consequences of dog attacks on deer. These are not included for shock, but for honesty. They show what happens when responsibility is neglected.
Every year, deer managers in Sussex and across the South East are called out to deal with the same, entirely preventable problem: deer injured or killed by dogs. These incidents are not rare. They happen frequently, and they almost always occur in situations where the outcome could have been avoided through responsible ownership.
This season, one of our contracts was interrupted by yet another example: a roe doe found dead, chased down by a dog that had been allowed off-lead in woodland. The excuses, sadly, are predictable: “My dog wouldn’t do that.” “It’s never happened before.” “It’s just their natural instinct.” The reality is that no matter how well-trained, obedient, or seemingly docile a dog may be, the instinct to chase remains hardwired.
Even the most experienced handlers, people who have owned and worked with dogs for decades, will tell you the same: every dog has the potential to lose recall when confronted with moving prey. Deer, particularly in woodland or on farmland margins, trigger this response almost instantly. What happens next can be devastating not only for the deer but for the owners, landowners, and the wider reputation of responsible countryside access.
The Scale of the Problem in Sussex
Sussex is home to a significant and growing deer population. Roe and fallow dominate, with muntjac becoming increasingly established in certain areas. Unlike more remote parts of the country, these deer populations exist alongside some of the busiest public access networks in the UK: the South Downs Way, permissive woodland paths, farmland crossings, and urban fringes where development meets semi-natural habitat.
With such overlap between human and deer populations, conflict is inevitable. The issue is compounded by the sheer number of recreational walkers and dog owners. Woodland that may appear quiet can harbour entire herds just out of sight. Roe, in particular, are masters of concealment, while fallow herds may suddenly move across rides or arable margins.
A single chase, even if brief, can have catastrophic results. Deer often suffer broken legs, deep lacerations, or fatal internal injuries. Pregnant does may lose their young through stress or trauma. In other cases, deer escape seemingly unharmed only to die later from shock or infection. In every scenario, the suffering is prolonged, unnecessary, and avoidable.
It isn’t just deer at risk. Livestock, ground-nesting birds, and even other dogs can be harmed when owners fail to control their animals. For farmers, particularly during lambing or crop protection periods, dogs off-lead pose a serious and recognised threat. For deer, however, the damage is often unseen by the general public until the carcass is discovered.
The Excuses We Hear
As deer managers, we hear the same lines repeated again and again:
“My dog has never done that before.”
“They’re always so good off the lead.”
“It’s the first time.”
Each one misses the point. Instinct overrides training. A quiet woodland, a sudden movement of a roe or muntjac, and even the most obedient dog can switch into chase mode. Owners often underestimate the speed of escalation: one moment a dog is trotting at heel, the next it has bolted, and by the time the owner catches up, damage has been done.
This is not about demonising dogs — most of us at Wildscape are dog owners ourselves. It is about honesty. Pretending that recall is foolproof or that “my dog is different” is not only irresponsible but dangerous. Every owner must accept that their dog has the capacity to cause harm. Accepting that truth is the first step towards preventing it.
Responsibilities of Dog Owners
So, what should responsible ownership look like in practice?
First and foremost, dogs should be kept on a lead in or near woodland, farmland, or any area where deer are present. Sussex is rich in such habitats, meaning the rule applies more often than not. The argument that dogs need to “run free” does not outweigh the risk to wildlife. Lead control ensures certainty. Recall does not.
Secondly, owners must respect public rights of way. Many incidents occur not on official footpaths but where walkers stray onto private or non-permissive land. Aside from the obvious legal trespass, this increases the risk of encounters with wildlife. Public rights of way exist for a reason. Straying from them, especially in spring or autumn when deer are more vulnerable, invites problems.
Thirdly, timing matters. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk. Walks taken in these periods — often favoured by owners before or after work — carry heightened risk. Awareness of this can help dog owners make better choices about when and where to exercise.
Finally, owners must be realistic. No matter how many training classes you’ve attended, recall will never be absolute. A lead is the only guarantee. Responsible ownership is about prevention, not faith.
What To Do If It Happens
Even with precautions, incidents can and do occur. Collars break, leads snap, or accidents happen. What matters is how owners respond when the worst occurs.
If your dog has attacked or injured a deer:
Do not leave the scene. The worst thing you can do is walk away. That deer will suffer, often for hours, and you will have failed in your duty.
Contact help immediately. If you know the landowner or manager, inform them. If not, call Sussex Police on 101 and report the incident. The Rural Crime Team and Deer Wardens can be dispatched.
Be honest. Concealing what happened does nothing for the deer and can put you at risk legally. Owning up ensures the animal is dealt with quickly and humanely.
Act responsibly. Understand that by law, you are accountable for your dog’s actions. Accepting that responsibility is part of owning a dog in the countryside.
For us, as deer managers, being called to dispatch an animal injured by a dog is one of the most unpleasant aspects of the job. It is not sporting. It is not management. It is emergency work carried out solely to prevent further suffering. That alone should be reason enough for owners to act responsibly and prevent such incidents in the first place.
Wider Implications for Wildlife and Landowners
The impact of dog attacks on deer goes far beyond the individual animal. Landowners, already grappling with deer damage to crops or forestry, face further complications when uncontrolled dogs disrupt their estates. For farmers, incidents often occur alongside livestock worrying, creating a dual pressure of compensation claims and welfare concerns.
In forestry, young plantations and regenerating woodlands are particularly vulnerable. Deer already present challenges for natural regeneration; adding dog pressure makes recovery even harder. Landowners invest time and money into habitat restoration, only to see deer populations destabilised and habitats further stressed by preventable dog attacks.
For the public, these incidents erode trust. When walkers ignore signs, leave footpaths, or allow their dogs to chase wildlife, it feeds negative perceptions of countryside access. That, in turn, risks greater restrictions and reduced access for everyone.
A Shared Landscape, A Shared Duty
At Wildscape Deer Management, we believe in shared responsibility. Landowners, farmers, deer managers, and the public all have a role to play in protecting wildlife. Dog owners, in particular, sit at the heart of this issue. Their actions can either prevent or perpetuate suffering.
We urge every dog owner in Sussex to:
Keep their dogs on leads near deer habitat.
Respect public and private land boundaries.
Accept that even the best dog can slip.
Take responsibility if things go wrong.
This is not about restricting enjoyment of the countryside. It is about ensuring that enjoyment does not come at the cost of wildlife welfare.
Prevention is the Only Solution
This young roe killed this season is not an isolated case. It is part of a wider, repeating pattern. Each time, the outcome is the same: unnecessary suffering, preventable death, and lasting damage to the reputation of responsible countryside users.
As deer managers, we will continue to respond when called. We will dispatch suffering animals quickly and humanely, because that is our responsibility. But the reality is this: prevention lies in the hands of dog owners.
Every time a dog is put on a lead near deer habitat, a life is potentially saved. Every time an owner respects a boundary, unnecessary suffering is prevented. The responsibility is simple, the actions are clear, and the benefits are shared by all.
Sussex is blessed with some of the most beautiful and biodiverse countryside in the country. Protecting it — and the deer that live within it — is not the job of managers alone. It is a duty we all share.
Graphic photos in this article to show the real consequences of dog attacks on deer. These are not included for shock, but for honesty. They show what happens when responsibility is neglected.
