Pregnant deer shot and left to bleed to death in 'mindless' act on Anlaby allotment

A PREGNANT deer has been shot and killed on an East Riding allotment.

Someone armed with a rifle is believed to have carried out the attack, which also killed the baby.

Police are investigating after the deer was left to bleed to death.

Officers are also investigating a second attack on the Anlaby allotment in Wolfreton Lane, in which a black and white cat was also shot through the neck and killed.

Janet Huitt, chairman of the Anlaby Allotment Association, says a £250 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest.

She said "We need to deal with this matter with the utmost urgency before a plot-holder or child is accidentally shot.

"The animal had been crudely shot through the throat from close range and been allowed to die with unnecessary suffering.

"This particular deer was almost tame, of regular routine and had been a nearby resident for a couple of years.

"It had been shot through the neck and left to bleed into its lungs.

"This was not an air rifle. Whoever shot it knew what they were doing.

"Plot-holders are horrified, some burst into tears.

"People love coming down to see the deer.

"This is a family site and there are families with small children. What if it was one of the children who found the body?"

The deer was shot between 7.30pm on Wednesday, November 21, and 8am the following morning.

Police are appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.

Sergeant Andy White, of Kirk Ella police station, said: "What is worrying for us is it is a family site and we also have school kids on there on a Friday.

"There is also a public right of way down one side and a row of shops down the other.

"By the sounds of things, the bullet went in the side of the deer's neck and came out the other side.

"This was not a shotgun as there would be pellets everywhere and it was not an air rifle or it would not have killed the deer.

"It must have been some kind of small calibre firearm, likely a rifle.

"We want people who may know something to contact us.

"If you have a conscience, come forward.

"We would love to catch the person who did this.

"It was senseless and mindless and the deer must have been in excruciating agony.

"Hopefully, someone will have clocked a car in Wolfreton Lane or Springhead Lane.

"You don't walk through the streets with a gun so someone may have seen a parked car."

Anyone with information should call Kirk Ella police on 01482 307213.

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