'Just don’t hit an animal and drive off to leave it suffering'

A MUM is pleading with drivers who hit an animal in the New Forest to “not just drive off and leave it suffering” after coming across a badly injured deer while on the school run.

Sally-Anne Searle found the animal bleeding and with broken back legs at the side of Hordle Lane near the Vicarage, after dropping her youngest child off at Hordle’s primary school last Thursday.

She told the A&T: “We all live in the Forest, we know this can happen, just don’t hit an animal and drive off to leave it suffering.

“I spotted the deer lying at the side of the road. I pulled up immediately to see if I could help it.

“It was obviously in terrible pain; it was just horrible to see. I couldn’t believe that someone could hit it and not even stop.”

Mrs Searle rang the police who said they would send an officer as soon as possible.

She said: “I then rang the agisters and the RSPCA but both told me they don’t deal with wildlife. I was really upset and was worried the police would take ages to come as obviously it is not a priority to them.

“Three other mums stopped, and we started phoning other places including Vets at Pets in New Milton who said if we could get the deer to them, they would treat it.”

Together with the other mums Mrs Searle, from Barton, gently lifted the deer onto a blanket then into her car.

She said: “It was really upsetting to see the state it was in; I am so angry at whoever did this, they must have realised what they had done.”

The deer was so badly injured it had to be put down. Mrs Searle said: “I am very grateful to the vets for putting the animal out of its misery. “

If you spot an injured deer, ring the Forestry Commission on 0300 067 4600 (24 hours). You can also ring Deer Emergency on 07879 403541, or 999.

For Forest stock, including ponies, donkeys, pigs, sheep, or cows, ring the Verderers Office on 023 8028 2052, Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.