A RICKMANSWORTH resident has told of her surprise after witnessing a policeman shooting an injured deer outside her home.

Jane Harrison, of Loudwater Lane, told the Gazette an armed officer knocked on her door at about 9am last Friday (17) to inform her he was about to put the animal, a Munt Jac deer, 'out of its misery'.

The deer had lost a leg after being struck by a vehicle and was in considerable distress.

Mrs Harrison said: "I opened my door to find an armed policeman standing there with a huge gun. He immediately said there was no need to worry but he was going to have to shoot a half-dead deer outside.

"I asked how he was going to deal with the animal and he admitted he wasn't sure.

"It took him three goes to kill the deer.

"I was very surprised to see an armed police officer, it seems unusual they would be called to dispatch of an animal. I would imagine it's more of a job for the RSPCA."

Hertfordshire Police confirmed a member of the public found the injured deer at the side of the road at about 7.40am.

The police control room contacted the RSPCA and local vets, however as they were unable to attend for at least an hour, authorisation was given for the officer to shoot the deer.

Force operations room inspector, John Nelms, said: "These decisions aren’t taken lightly however the officer at the scene reported that the animal was in great distress.

"In these circumstances where it is believed an animal is suffering unnecessarily, and other agencies are able to attend within a reasonable amount of time, we can utilise our armed officers to end its suffering.

"Three shots were fired to ensure the animal died straight away and so that no further distress was caused to it."

The animal was then taken to a local farmer to be disposed of.

RSPCA spokeswoman, Claire Kennett, said: "We were informed by a member of the public that the deer had a wound and was bleeding, but not that it had lost its leg.

"Our priority is to get the first person available to a suffering animal but obviously we are a charity and we only have 300 inspectors and officers to cover the entire country.

"This isn't an everyday occurrence and we do ring the local vets or deer stalkers but if the police agree and if an animal is in pain, we want someone to get there as quickly as possible.

"An RSPCA inspector arrived at 9.30am, but the animal had already been dealt with."

A spokesperson for pressure group, The TaxPayers' Alliance, added: "It's not ideal but if the RSPCA or local vets couldn't attend then I'm not sure if there is a better solution."

What do you think? Email Gazette reporter Siba Matti at sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk or post a comment at http://rickmansworth.uxbridgegazette.co.uk