Warnings have been issued to dog owners following 26 incidents of pets chasing deer – some of them pregnant - in Richmond and Bushy Royal Parks in March alone.

This is approaching an average of almost one chase or attack every day through the month.

The number of attacks is the highest for a single month since the Royal Parks began collating centralised records at the beginning of pandemic in March 2020.

Many families bought a puppy during the pandemic, however lockdowns made it difficult to get the professional training needed to ensure owners can keep them under control.

There is risk to the deer, including some deaths in the past, while the spooked animals are also a danger to park users, both pedestrians and cyclists.

Dogs off the lead also pose a risk to ground nesting skylarks in some parts of Richmond Park at this time of year.

The Royal Parks Police said: "Officers at Bushy Park and Richmond Park have seen an increase in dogs chasing deer recently.

"Fleeing deer can be dangerous to all park users. Dogs and deer have been seriously injured and sometimes killed. Dogs must be kept on leads when close to deer and other wildlife."

Phil Edwards, Park Manager for Bushy Park said: "Sadly, we have noticed a surge in incidents of dogs chasing deer recently.

"In March 2022, we were alerted to 26 incidents in Richmond and Bushy Parks and, since the start of the year, over 50 have been recorded.

"The female deer are heavily pregnant at the moment, and some are already starting to display signs of being on high alert.

"We urge all dog walkers to have their dogs under close control, and if there is any doubt about the temperament of their dog, it should be on a lead at all times, or walked elsewhere."