UNCONTROLLED dogs attacked a herd of deer leaving three dead. 

The horrific attack happened near Newick just before 5pm on Wednesday, resulting in the death of three female Fallow deer.

Walker Debbie Ticehurst who witnessed the incident said she was "horrified" by the incident. 

She said: “I heard a couple of dogs barking, then a man shouting 'Luther' which I assume was one of the dogs' names.

"I then saw two herds of deer running in two different directions within 50 yards of each other both being chased by dogs." 

Ms Ticehurst described seeing a whippet type dog and another as a terrier with an owner who couldn't control them. 

Describing when she spotted the bodies she said: "One deer was clearly dead but the other was alive and on its back struggling, unable to get up.

"I was horrified and called East Sussex Wildlife Rescue straight away to get help and seek advice. 

"As soon as I was off the phone I then noticed a third deer slightly further along the hedgerow struggling to get up too."

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) rushed to the scene to check the animals. One deer was confirmed dead, while the other two were badly injured beyond recovery and had to be humanely shot to end their suffering. 

Trevor Weeks, founder of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS), said: “It was clear to everyone that there was going to be no survivors and we had no choice but to humanely shoot the two deer to end their suffering.

“This has to be the worst case of dogs attacking deer we have ever dealt with and one I sincerely hope I never get called to again. I have seen many horrible scenes in my 32 years undertaking wildlife rescue but even I struggled with this incident. It was very upsetting and shocking."

WRAS is pleading with dog owners to be sensible and not to let dogs off the lead if they are not trained and are not controllable. 

Mr Weeks added: “We are not just worried about deer, but also for other wildlife including foxes, badgers, rabbits and swans which we regularly get coming in attacked by dogs, but also agricultural animals like sheep too. 

"For the sake of the dogs too, you don’t want them running off chasing deer or other animals and running out across a road and getting hit by a car or being injured by the animal they are attacking.

"So please if you can’t control your dog get it trained and don’t let it off the lead.”