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Dealing with deer incidents in the New Forest area

Summary

AI generated summary
Guidance for reporting and responding to deer incidents in the New Forest National Park, based on whether the deer is on a road, off a road, alive, injured, or dead, and whether the location is Crown Land. Road incidents that are causing or likely to cause a road traffic incident should be reported to police via 999 (emergency) or 101. Injured or distressed deer off Crown Land may require judgement: contact police if dispatch is needed, or the RSPCA if the animal may be saved; RSPCA Control is 0300 1234 999. Injured deer on Crown Land should be reported to Forestry Commission Control (0300 067 4600). Dispatch is carried out by a humane animal dispatch volunteer with police, RSPCA staff or a vet, or a Forestry Commission keeper. Dead deer are reported to local authorities, which arrange collection and contractor notification on certain highways routes. A map shows Crown Land…
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Dealing with Deer Incidents in the New Forest National Park

See map of district and county boundaries and Crown Land

On road: alive or dead

(after or likely to cause Road Traffic Incident)

Control Centre instructions

Control Centre staff should get the phone number of person who called and full details of the incident and its location. Ideally, they should also phone the caller back to confirm what will be done.

If the caller has phoned the wrong Control Centre, the caller should be told the number of the correct Control Centre to call.

If a situation escalates, endangering human life or property the caller should phone 999.

Contacts

  • Police Control: 999 or 101

Not on road: alive

Injured or distressed (e.g. caught in fence or netting, or after RTI or dog attack)

Off Crown Land

Judgement needed
Police is best if the animal needs to be dispatched. RSPCA is best if it can be saved.

  • Police Control: 0300 1234 999
  • RSPCA Control: 0300 1234 999

On Crown Land

  • Forestry Commission Control: 0300 067 4600

Who attends

  • Humane Animal Dispatch volunteer (with Police)
  • RSPCA staff or vet
  • Forestry Commission Keeper

These people will attend and liaise asap when instructed by their respective control centres.

Note that only the Police can enter private land without the landowner’s permission.

If the RSPCA or FC is unable to attend, the caller may be advised to call the Police.

The Police will call FC if the deer is on a road passing through Crown Land, and may call the RSPCA if the animal does not need to be dispatched.

Dead deer (side of road / not on road)

Report online or phone customer services

  • New Forest District Council area: www.newforest.gov.uk; 023 8028 5000
  • Test Valley Borough Council area: www.testvalley.gov.uk; 01264 368000
  • Wiltshire Council area: www.wiltshire.gov.uk; 0300 456 0100
  • Dorset Council area: www.dorsetforyou.com; 01305 225002

The relevant local authority will ensure the animal is collected. On Highways Agency routes (A31 and M27) the local authority will inform the relevant contractor.

Local Authorities will also remove dead deer from their own land and may be able to help house-holders if they have a dead deer in their garden.