Volunteer Initiative to Aid Injured Deer Generates £60,000 in Savings

A volunteer initiative aimed at mitigating the suffering of deer injured in road incidents has resulted in annual savings of almost £60,000 for a police force, according to reports. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary stated its practice is to dispatch a Humane Animal Dispatch (HAD) volunteer instead of a firearms officer when deer sustain injuries. The Constabulary noted that HAD volunteers possess expertise in deer management, assisting the force in deploying “the right resource in the right situation.” Inspector Stuart Ross, who oversees the initiative, described the volunteers as “invaluable.” He further commented, “The support they provide to policing at the roadside is phenomenal – not only are they experts in their field, ensuring that animals do not suffer unnecessarily in the aftermath of a collision, but as an asset their deployment ensures other police resources can direct their focus elsewhere.” The Constabulary launched this program approximately 15 years prior, originally established through an arrangement with gamekeepers, farmers, deerstalkers, and deer managers. It underwent redevelopment in 2022, and comparable initiatives have since been implemented by other police forces throughout the UK. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary projects that annual savings could exceed £100,000 by 2025, attributing this potential increase to the growing deer population and an expected rise in HAD volunteers. The undertaking receives backing from the British Deer Society, the RSPCA, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). David McAuley, the chief executive of the British Deer Society, stated: “By continuing to collaborate with key partners and dedicated volunteers, we can help ensure that this critical work to alleviate deer suffering on UK roads will expand and thrive across the country.”