The Police have defended shooting an “out of control” white deer that had been roaming the streets after they were faced with fury and anger over the decision.
Merseyside Police said there had been “huge efforts” to save the wild animal which was shot dead in Bootle.
Officers tried to sedate it for nine hours and were “gutted” when they had to destroy it for public safety, Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley said.
Armed officers were able to secure the deer on an industrial estate after receiving reports of the fallow buck running along various roads at about 08:45 BST on Sunday.
However, police said they were “unable to get assistance” after making inquiries “to find an organisation who could assist with recovering the deer safely”.
Liverpool author and animal lover Nina Antonia, who also expressed outrage on social media, told the BBC it was “a very bad omen” because the deer was symbolic in folklore.
“It was brutal. Any society that does not look after animals is a sign that that society is in decay,” she said.
The RSPCA earlier said it had advised police to “leave the deer as it would make its own way back home” eventually.
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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