A “lovely stag” has been decapitated in an Irish park, leaving the local community shocked. The incident occurred in County Dublin after trespassers broke into the deer enclosure.
The headless remains of the animal were found on Thursday morning at Newbridge Demesne, Donabate. A council statement confirmed the deer — which was part of a herd that became a beloved family attraction — was killed overnight.
Staff told Irish broadcaster RTÉ they believed the stag’s head was taken as a trophy. A Fingal County Council spokesman said: “The discovery was made when staff went to feed the herd of Irish Red Deer. The stag, who was eight years old, was one of two in the herd."
The mayor of Fingal, Tom O’Leary, said: “I have visited this park area with my granddaughters who really enjoyed meeting the stag and deer. A wonderful animal to behold close up. It's truly shocking that someone would carry out this act. I am appealing to anybody with information to contact the gardai or the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is illegal to kill deer without a licence and I hope that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.”
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Ireland's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) expressed “horror” at the attack. Pat Watt, of the NSPCA, said: “The unnecessary killing of such a majestic creature for, what appears to be, a trophy is appalling. It is the NSPCA's hopes that the perpetrator/s will be caught and prosecuted with the full force of the legal system relating to this type of crime. Animal abuse is not acceptable in any situations.”
Councillor for the area, Eoghan Dockrell, told BBC News he was “in shock”.
“The one common response to anyone I've spoken to in the community is they're disgusted and appalled,” said the Fine Gael representative
Mr Dockrell added he had “an awful lot of sympathy for the staff members who would have had to come upon that scene and how distressing that must have been”.
The stag was decapitated in Irish park after trespassers invaded the enclosure
|FINGAL.IE
Ivan Smith, Foreman of Works at Newbridge House and Traditional Farm, said: “We are absolutely shocked by this incident. He was a lovely stag with a beautiful pair of antlers and was a big favourite with the public who walk through the park.”
The council said the incident is currently under investigation by Ireland's national police service and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Those who have information are urged to contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or email wildlifeenforcement@npws.gov.ie.
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