A concerned Harrow resident has issued a warning to fellow dog walkers after claiming that they spotted a deer in Hatch End Playing Fields.
The local resident took to the Harrow Online Group to alert others, stating that the deer had been seen in the area for several days.
The resident wrote, “Warning all dog walkers!!! There is a deer in the Hatch End playing fields. My dog startled it from the trees and bushes along the brook side. It ran the length of the field and back clearly frightened.”
The resident went on to advise others to keep their dogs on a lead, as the deer could easily run out onto the busy roads and pose a danger to both itself and any dogs giving chase.
“I would hate for it to get mauled by a dog or hit by a car or cause a pile up on the busy main road,” they added.
The resident also contacted a wildlife charity for advice, but was informed that unless the deer was injured, they could not intervene.
The charity suggested that the deer may have a fawn nearby and would likely find its own way out of the park.
Despite this, the concerned resident urged the community to remain vigilant and take care when walking their dogs in the area. “My dog gave chase on Tuesday but luckily came back as soon as I shouted recall,” they said.
To find out more about the different species of deer, and what you can do if you encounter one, visit the RSPCA website.
