A DEER was seriously injured in a horrific attack by a stray dog in Minchinhampton Common on Monday, June 9.

The attack took place opposite Beaudesert Park School, in full view of onlooking children around 8.15am.

Martin Foster, 39, was driving home from the school, where he had dropped off his daughter, when he saw a greyhound dog with its jaws around the deer's neck.

Feeling compelled to help the deer, Mr Foster called out to try and scare the dog away before bravely stepping in to stop the stop the attack.

Mr Foster was left to fend the dog off from inflicting further wounds to the deer, which was bleeding from the neck.

"I was horrified. The dog was dragging the poor deer by its neck and trying to kill it" said Mr Foster.

"It was very scrawny thing, and it didn't look like it had been fed for a while, which was maybe what stimulated the attack" he added.

With no owner in sight, the male dog, of a grey/ brown colour then wandered down into Box Village. Police were informed.

With advice from Stroud Clockhouse Vets, Mr Foster covered the deer's head and with help from wife Rachael, 38, loaded it into their van.

Mrs Foster said: "There was a lot of blood. The deer sat normally but its head was flopped to one side."

The pair drove the deer to Clockhouse Vets who treated it for shock as well as its head and neck injuries. It was kept in an isolation ward and given anti-biotics and valium before being transferred to Cirencester Oak and Furrows wildlife rescue where it will be given rehabilitation.

Mrs Sarah Ashenford, practice manager at Clockhouse said: "The deer will make a recovery, it's just shocked more than anything. Mr and Mrs Foster acted responsibly by calling the vet for advice. They were fortunate to have a van they could use and in most cases we would send our vet ambulance out."

Anyone with information should call Gloucestershire Police on 101.