PET charity Blue Cross are warning dog owners against taking their animals to areas where there are wild deer during the rutting season this autumn.

The charity say it is important to keep dogs on a lead if deer might be present and stay as far away as possible.

“While stags and bucks battle to preserve their ‘hareems’, female deer are in season for just a few hours over the period and dogs or people coming between a male and female deer in season are in serious danger of being injured,” said a spokesperson.

“There is also a risk of getting caught in the crossfire when male deer are fighting intensely or chasing each other away.”

Claire Stallard, Animal Behaviourist at Blue Cross, said it was important to keep control of dogs at this time of year.

“Also, there will be increased activity during the rutting season and your dog may become excited by the extra noise, smell and movement, so it makes sense to keep your distancem” she added.

The charity are urging dog owners to put dogs on the lead at all times around livestock and wildlife.