A Teddington man has been charged over an incident involving allowing his dog to chase the deer in Bushy Park.

The 42 year old man is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on May 17th.

According to the Royal Parks police it is the second time the man has been charged with a similar offence.

He was convicted of the same offence in May last year.

It became compulsory yesterday (May 1st) for dogs in both Bushy Park and Richmond Park to be kept on leads until July 31st because of the annual deer-birthing season and the risks to nesting birds.

It was less than two weeks ago that Teddington Nub News announced the new rules were coming into force in both Bushy and Richmond Parks. During this period about 300 deer are expected to be born in the parks. The female deer hide their new born in the long grass to protect them from dogs.

Simon Richards, Park Manager of Richmond Park said: "Deer are instinctively frightened of dogs but when they enter birthing season, this fear takes on a new dimension. Female deer are afraid of dogs harming their young and, as a result, they will be on high alert and can display defensive behaviour."

Since the beginning of this year there have been over 50 incidents recording of dogs chasing dee in Bushy and Richmond Parks but many incidents go unreported so the figure is thought to be a lot higher.

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The controversial ban on dogs without leads in the Parks upsets many dog walkers who feel they can control their animals and have to find alternative green spaces to exercise their dogs for the three month period.

Full details of the temporary rules can be seen here.

To report an injury to a person, dog or deer, please contact: Bushy Park: 0300 2250 or email [email protected].