Deer put down after getting trapped in allotment wire fencing
Controversy surrounding a new allotment site has continued after a deer was euthanised after getting caught in a metal wire fence. The deer was found on Boxing Day with a leg caught in the wire fence around the Roots allotment site, which was recently approved by North Somerset Council[1]. The new 700-allotment site has already proven divisive, and it is not expected to open until spring next year.
Back in October, residents in the village clashed with workers at the site, prompting a police response. A boundary fence was installed while some locals attempted to block entrances to the field and other called the local council in autumn this year and, back in spring, council workers forced Roots to stop construction work until planning decisions had been made.[2][3][4] Now, in video and photos shared on social media, residents have shared their distress at finding a deer caught in a metal wire fence around the upcoming allotment site, located at the corner of the turning into Leigh Woods.
Pip A’Ness, who witnessed the deer and was involved in freeing it, said it was found “hanging by a leg” with “flesh ripped from its bone”. Pip, a Leigh Abbot resident, told BristolLive the RSPCA were called to come and help the creature, but were unable to make it to the scene in a reasonable amount of time and advised euthanising the deer to end its suffering. Images taken at the time show the deer’s leg caked in blood and what seems to be exposed bone.
Roots Allotment says it is aware of the incident and intends to bring forward plans for a hedgerow at the Abbots Leigh site, which it says will create a “visible barrier” for wildlife. Co-founder Christian Samuels said the organisation “always follow guidance from Forestry Commission website to ensure our fencing meets the the correct standards”. In a video shared by fellow resident Emma Burgh, Pip said: “We cut the fence and let it out and it limped across the field, dragging its leg.”
Emma added: “She was hanging upside down by her leg and her leg was through the fence. So she’d obviously tried to jump the fence and hadn’t made it and her leg had gotten twisted inside the fence. We cut her free, which was not an easy job to do, and she hobbled off on three legs.”
A deer caught in a wire fence at the upcoming Roots Allotment site in Abbots Leigh (Image: Emma Burgh)
She said they then called the Somerset Wildlife Trust and the RSPCA to explain the situation but say they were told, because it was Boxing Day, the organisations weren’t sure when a staff member would be able to come out and take a look.
BristolLive has contacted both the RSPCA and Somerset Wildlife Trust for a comment. Mr Samuels said: “Nothing like this has ever happened at a Roots site before, so we are all understandably upset. We care deeply about nature and pride ourselves on increasing biodiversity at all of our sites.
We are in conversations with the RSPCA and locals to understand the situation better. We currently understand that the deer was dealt with by locals without a vet or the RSPCA present.” A Roots Allotment spokesperson said that, while deer had been inside the enclosure previously while the fence was open, they were not caught in the fence and Roots staff were able to rectify the situation.
Mr Samuels said: “It is not uncommon for allotment sites and market gardens up and down the country to have deer fencing or other high fencing installed to help protect crops. Where possible we try to minimise the use of fencing across our sites but in some circumstances it is required.” Stay up to date with the latest on this story and more by signing up to our daily newsletter[5], delivering our top stories straight to your inbox
He added: “We aim to have a better presence at the site so we can help prevent any further incidents like this happening again and we will be bringing forward the hedgerow planting as much as possible to increase biodiversity, creating a visual barrier for the wildlife and reinstating native hedgerow that once ran through the fields.” The British Deer Society says: “If the deer is already seriously injured, euthanasia may sadly be the only practical but kindest option. A trained rescuer will be best placed to assess the situation and make an informed decision.
“Any deer that has failed to extricate itself from entanglement of body or limb is likely to have become metabolically exhausted trying to get out of the situation.
This means that they are at very high risk of dying from myopathy hours or days after being released.”
References
- ^ which was recently approved by North Somerset Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ prompting a police response (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ some locals attempted to block entrances to the field (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ council workers forced Roots to stop construction work until planning decisions had been made. (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ signing up to our daily newsletter (www.bristolpost.co.uk)