A probe is underway in Glasgow after a 'mutilated' deer carcass was discovered by a dog walker.
The shocking find was made on Thursday (September 16) on Rosemount Street in the Royston area of the city not far from the M8 motorway.
The member of the public is reported to have covered up the carcass and phoned the police to alert them to the discovery.
A source told Glasgow Live that the person firmly believes that the deer had been mutilated, as it had been "clearly cut with a knife down the stomach and chest and all the way up to the spine."
Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Police confirm that incident is being reviewed by a specialist wildlife crime officer, despite no criminality being established.
The deer carcass has since been removed from the scene.
They are urging anyone with information, or concerns over possible local wildlife crime, to contact them.
It comes after several deer were found mutilated in suspected dog attacks at Cumbernauld Mosswater Nature Reserve back in March/April of this year.
The Scottish SPCA launched an appeal for information, saying at the time that the attack could be a case of illegal deer coursing.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 12.05pm on Thursday, 16 September, officers were made aware that the body of a deer was found near to Rosemount Street in Glasgow.
"While enquiries were carried out and no criminality has been established, the matter is being reviewed by a specialist wildlife crime officer. Anyone with any information, or concerns about possible local wildlife crime, should contact police on 101.”
The Scottish SPCA have been contacted for comment.
