A Teddington resident has been charged for the third time for allowing his dog to chase deer in Bushy Park.

Mr Higgs, 43, pleaded guilty to the offence for the third time in as many years at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on May 2nd and was fined £271.

A video released by the Royal Parks Police over the weekend showed Mr Higg's dog, an Italian Greyhound, chasing deer for a 'significant amount of time' on March 11th earlier this year.

In the clip, which can be viewed below, the deer outpace the fast dog as they dash off in their herd to get away.

A spokesperson for the Royal Parks Police said: "On 02/05/23, Mr Higgs, 43 of Teddington, pleaded guilty to allowing his dog to chase the deer in Bushy Park. This is his 3rd conviction for the same offence in as many years. He was fined a total of £271 by Wimbledon Magistrates court.

"Mr Higg's dog, an Italian greyhound, was witnessed by members of the public to be chasing the deer for a significant amount of time on 11/03/23. Police were contacted and we identified the dogs owner.

"If you know your dog chases the deer, then don't let them off the lead in a deer parks. It will be safer for all park users, the wildlife and the dog."

The Metropolitan Police are currently investigating a viscous dog attack that also took place in Bushy Park last Monday (May 2nd), on the first day new rules requiring dogs to be kept on leads came into force.

From May 1st - July 31st, leads on dogs is compulsory in Bushy and Richmond Park due to the deer birthing season where around 300 deer will be born across both parklands.

A map of areas to avoid in Bushy Park with a dog during the deer birthing season (Credit: Royal Parks)

Paul Richards, Park Manager at Richmond Park said: "Although deer are instinctively frightened of dogs, they will overcome this fear if they believe their young are at risk. This means female deer may chase and attack, even if the dog is at a distance, on a lead and not acting provocatively. This can be extremely frightening to witness, especially for the dog owner.

"This is the fourth year we've had 'dogs on leads' during the deer birthing season and it's been an important step for deer welfare during this vulnerable time.

"As a result of this policy, our wildlife officers have noticed positive changes in the deer, with the deer appearing less on edge and exhibiting more natural behaviours such as roaming further into the park. Most importantly though, the number of dogs chasing deer dramatically reduces during this time. We'd like to thank the public for their continued support."

A map of areas to avoid in Richmond Park with a dog during the deer birthing season (Credit: Royal Parks)

Advice to dog walkers

• It is compulsory to keep your dog on a lead at all times, and in all areas of the parks, from 1 May until 31 July.
• Avoid the areas shaded in orange on the maps. These are typically areas of long grass and bracken where newborn deer could be concealed.
• If a deer charges, let the dog off the lead so it can run away and doesn't get hurt.
• Consider walking your dog elsewhere.

Advice to all park visitors

• Give deer plenty of space. Always keep at least 50 metres away.
• Avoid deer nursery areas where possible. Give female deer privacy and respect.
• Never touch or handle a newborn deer under any circumstances, even if it's on its own. It is not abandoned, and its mother will be grazing nearby