Advice to deer managers in Scotland - The humane culling of suffering deer following the severe winter.

The prolonged severe winter experienced in much of Scotland has lead to a significant welfare problem amongst the deer population. Deer are dying on the hill and many have reached a level of emaciation from which they will not recover. Section 25 of The Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 offers exemption from prosecution to those who humanely dispatch deer due to injury or disease but guidance on when deer in the current situation reach that level of suffering is not clear. The British Deer Society has issued a guidance note which contains specific veterinary advice which will help individuals reach a decision and which, if followed, will protect them from the potential for criticism. The society also intends to approach Government to discuss a formal clarification of the existing law with the aim of removing any potential for misinterpretation in the future.

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