There are fears of animal cruelty after a deer found dead outside a football club is believed by residents to have been 'attacked and beaten'.
The body of a deer was discovered on land near the Leigh Town Football Club ground in Queensway, Leigh, with 'copper piping' around its neck.
A shocked dog walker made the discovery at around 4pm on Friday afternoon but other walkers at the scene told him that 'a man was seen attacking, kicking and beating' the deer in the early hours of that morning.
The dog walker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It was a sad sight seeing what appeared to be a healthy male deer just dead on the field.
"I initially thought the copper piping was in its neck until I carefully lifted it slightly with my trainer.
"I had no gloves so I didn’t handle or manoeuvre the carcass any further. The copper piping was trapped under the deer's torso and I became immediately suspicious that it may have been embedded in its body.
"The location about 60 metres from the road. The circumstances in which I found the animal leave many unanswered questions."
The man told the M.E.N. that he was reporting it to Wigan Council when he was approached by other passersby.
"I got into conversation with a passing couple," said the dog walker.
"I informed them of the dead deer and that I was reporting the matter, mindful that it would begin to decompose and in a busy area for kids playing and dog walkers.
"The couple informed me that a male had been seen attacking, seemingly beating and kicking a deer in the early hours of the morning at the roadside and the police had attended. I was left with an overall an impression of animal cruelty at play.
"Hopefully someone can provide some definitive answers over cause of death."
The RSPCA has been made aware of the incident and has told people to get in touch if they have any information on the deer's death.
A spokesperson for the animal welfare charity said: "We would ask if anyone has any first hand information regarding this to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999."
Greater Manchester Police and Wigan Council have been contacted for comment.
