Deer left for dead on Aberdeenshire road after being struck by vehicle

A deer has been left for dead after being hit by a vehicle on an Aberdeenshire road.

Motorists discovered the injured animal on the road between Fetterangus and Crimond at around 8.10am on Wednesday.

The deer was moved to the side of the road and two members of the public alerted New Arc Wildlife Rescue to the incident.

Upon arrival, a member of the Ellon-based team noticed pieces of plastic, believed to be from the vehicle that struck the wild animal, spread across the road.

The deer had been left with a severe head injury, one antler hanging off and a fractured front leg. It was determined that the animal may have been struck an hour prior to the initial report being made.

The team decided to put the deer down due to the severity of its injuries.

The deer had to be put down after it suffered severe injuries New Arc Wildlife Rescue

New Arc Wildlife Rescue is now urging members of the public to contact the nearest wildlife rescue organisation or police immediately if they strike a wild animal on the road or discover one injured.

A spokesperson said: “We are keen to encourage members of the public to call a wildlife rescue centre or the police when they hit a deer to reduce the amount of time the poor deer is left suffering after being hit by a car and to increase the odds of a successful rescue if the deer is viable for rehabilitation.

“If you hit a deer or find one injured in the road, stop when it is safe to do so, find the exact location of the deer, ideally using the What-3-Words app, and call your nearest wildlife rescue organisation, or if one isn’t available the police”