AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a deer was savaged by two dogs.

The Roe Deer had to be ‘dispatched’ by an expert following the brutal attack at Langton Matravers, near Swanage.

Professional dog walker Jason Selman witnessed the incident and has reported it to the dog warden.

He has now urged people to keep their dogs on leads and to be more considerate around other animals.

Mr Selman said he was walking at Spyway in Langton Matravers on Tuesday morning when he heard the sound of animals in distress.

He said: “I looked over the fence and I could see a figure huddled in the middle of the field.

“It was a deer and there were two Lurcher-type dogs in the field. One was racing around on the other side of the field covered in blood.

“A woman was with the dogs and she indicated that she needed some help. I tried to catch the dogs to no avail.”

Mr Selman said the deer was seriously wounded and added: “A local friend of mine is authorised to dispatch deer and he lives nearby. I contacted him and he was there within about 10 minutes.”

He said people staying in a nearby holiday home helped the woman from the field.

He added: “She was shocked about what had happened but said ‘they normally chase rabbits - I didn’t know they would go for a deer’.

“I am sure there is a possibility that they could do this sort of thing again if they are not kept under proper control.

“We all like to think our dogs are perfectly trained but that is not always the case.”

A spokeswoman for Dorset Council said: “This incident is being investigated by our officers. Our environmental enforcement officer has contacted the complainant and is making further investigations as to who the owners of the dogs are. We are also passing the enquiry onto the police rural crime team and the dog liaison officer at Dorset Police for further intelligence.”

She said penalties can include community protection notices, civil injunctions or criminal behaviour orders.