Earlier this week we wrote about the Bushy Park deer cull and it created quite the debate on our social media.

You can check out our original article HERE

We have also since received a statement from Royal Parks which reads:

"Around 90 deer are culled over each year in Bushy Park.

"As a member of the British Deer Society, The Royal Parks takes deer welfare very seriously and all aspects of their health are regularly monitored. In addition, both the society and the Deer Initiative of England and Wales fully endorse humane culling.

"The Royal Parks is an expert manager of enclosed deer herds, which are under veterinary supervision. Deer populations are actively managed to keep herds at a sustainable size.

"Without population control, food would become scarce and more animals would ultimately suffer. There would also be other welfare issues such as low body fat, malnutrition, high incidence of death from exposure to cold in winter and a build-up of parasites and diseases in deer.

"As a result of the cull, the meat is sold to licensed game dealers and all the money is reinvested into caring for our herds. It must be stressed we do not undertaken commercial deer farming, and as such the meat is not labelled as Royal Parks when it is sold to the consumer."

Those in favour of the cull

John Quamina said: " I leave it to the experts. All I know is the result is the excellent park we have today. I feel very privileged to have that heard in my backyard."

Carol Edwards said: "If they weren't culled they'd starve...we have no natural predators so the population would outgrow Bushy park in one year."

Stepehen Leader said: "It's the only way to keep the Herd pure and healthy ,the use of contraception involves chemicals and hormones and goes against keeping these Herds genuinely Organic .

"The cull is carried out in a completely professional way and all Animals culled are individually selected due to Age ,Conformation, etc this keeps these as probably some of the best Herds in the World."

Those not in favour of the cull

Renee Andersen-Waters said: "No, other countries use contraception to manage populations. The cull is cruel and needless."

Protestors have recently chained themselves to the fence of Bushy Park over night against the cull.

Overall judging by the response on our social media the people of Teddington believe that the deer cull is the most humane way of controlling the deer population.

Join the conversation on Facebook HERE