The Royal Parks have issued an urgent warning to dog owners and visitors after more than 110 deer-related incidents were recorded across Richmond and Bushy Parks this year — nearly half involving dogs.
A Freedom of Information request (FOI) revealed 53 reports linked to dogs chasing or disturbing deer, prompting renewed calls for owners to keep pets on leads.
In one such report from September, a witness described watching ‘in horror’ as a collie chased terrified deer through bracken near Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park.
The witness said: “It was very upsetting to watch.
“There were so many big dogs off-lead in the park, many of them so far ahead of their owners it would be impossible to stop them chasing and harming the deer.”
As this year’s rutting season gets underway, when stags experience huge surges in testosterone and compete with each other for dominance and mates, the parks are reminding the public that the animals are wild and can be dangerous if approached or provoked.
In a new film released by The Royal Parks, the charity responsible for London’s eight royal parks, including Richmond and Bushy, Park Manager at Bushy Park, Phil Edwards said: “Our advice is simple: keep at least 50 metres away from the deer — and even further if they are active.
“We strongly recommend that visitors keep their dogs on leads, as dogs can give chase and distressed deer may bolt, risking an uncontrolled stampede.”
From late September to early November, stags compete for females in dramatic displays that include bellowing, locking antlers and aggressive charging.
Weighing up to 25 stone and capable of running at 30mph, these animals can be extremely dangerous if not treated with caution, yet experts say many visitors continue to get ‘stupidly close’ to them.
Charles Smith-Jones, technical adviser at the British Deer Society, a charity dedicated to educating and inspiring people about deer, said: “During this season, stags will try to gather herds of females and guard them from rivals.
“They establish their dominance by posturing and roaring: loud bellows you can hear across the parks.
“They also engage in something called ‘parallel walking’, where they walk side-by-side, eyeing up each other’s size and strength before a potential fight — it’s a clear warning for people to stay back.
“Truthfully, if you end up between two fighting stags, it’s going to ruin your weekend.”
However, officials say that despite clear signage, press coverage and awareness campaigns about these risks, some visitors continue to flout the rules — with reports of visitors letting pets run loose and even some chasing deer for social media videos.
One shocking incident revealed through the FOI request described two boys on electric bikes ‘chasing and herding’ deer through Bushy Park, causing a stampede across Chestnut Avenue and forcing a van to brake sharply.
In May, another report described photos circulating of a man sitting beside a large stag, stroking it, despite onlookers pleading with him to stop.
Visitors getting too close to feed deer also remains an ongoing issue, even with signage in place.
In one such incident in September, rangers had to intervene when a family of five tried to feed fallow deer near the Diana car park situated in Bushy Park.
During the encounter, a toddler was even left alone with the animals as they tried to reach the family’s bags.
In August, an elderly man reportedly became angry when park rangers told him to step back from feeding deer, shouting: “I’m fed up with officious people like you telling me what I can do.
“My grandson always feeds these deer by hand — I can do what I want.”
Speaking about incidents at the parks, Charles added: “People get far too close — often for selfies or to feed them.
“Feeding deer is dangerous because once they get used to it, they start demanding food.
“A pushy stag with antlers can seriously hurt someone; if you want a closer look, use binoculars, it’s really that simple.”
Roger Hillyer, chairman of Friends of Richmond Park, which has more than 300 volunteers preserving the park’s natural beauty since 1961, said the deer may be a spectacle, but that does not change the need to respect them.
He said: “It is utterly extraordinary that so close to the city of London you have people and deer together — it’s a truly rare and special thing.
“People from across the world come into the visitor centre all the time asking, ‘Where are the deer?’, wanting to get a photo.
“We recently even had a couple stop by on their way to Heathrow Airport, making one last attempt to see them.
“But people need to remember these are wild animals, not part of a zoo, and that must be respected at all times.”
Many responsible walkers have also reported their frustration that, despite clear signs instructing visitors not to feed deer, stay 50 metres away, and keep dogs on leads, some still ignore the rules and come into conflict with the animals.
Catherine Woolley, 57, an administrator and regular visitor of Bushy Park, is one such local.
She said: “My friend and I have walked Bushy Park for years, and we’re always very wary and careful.
“We keep an eye out all the time — if we see a stag, we either stop and let it pass or take a bigger loop to avoid it and any female deer, because that’s their territory.
“Similarly, if we hear any bellowing, we steer well clear.
“It’s so frustrating that you still see people with dogs off their leads — people would be up in arms if a stag got a dog and tossed it in the air, yet still don’t follow the rules.
“We’re very lucky, especially here in London, to have these deer and such a vast space to walk in for free.
“There are so many signs, so why can’t people just respect the wildlife we get to appreciate every day?”
Featured Image credit: Georgia Rowe
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