Full Breakdown
Stag Attack in Richmond Park Injures Man and Leads to Deer’s Euthanasia
8/18/2026, 12:19:04 AM
Incident Overview
On a Saturday evening in south-west London, emergency services were dispatched to Richmond Park at 18:16 BST after a man in his 60s was attacked by a stag while picnicking. The animal approached the group seeking food, resulting in chest injuries to the visitor. Paramedics transported the man to hospital, where clinicians assessed the wounds as neither life-threatening nor life-changing. Police and park officials later determined that the stag posed a continuing danger to the public and it was shot by a Royal Parks wildlife officer.
Deer Presence and Historical Context
Richmond Park, a 2,500-acre royal reserve, has been home to a herd of roughly 600 red and fallow deer since the late 1630s. The park’s origins trace back to 1625 when Charles I established a hunting ground adjacent to Richmond Palace. Nearby Bushy Park, covering more than 1,000 acres, also supports a sizeable deer population. The long-standing tradition of free-roaming deer has increasingly intersected with rising visitor numbers.
Official Response and Decision to Euthanize
A Royal Parks spokesperson confirmed that, after consultation with the Metropolitan Police, the stag’s behaviour warranted euthanasia to protect park users. The Metropolitan Police corroborated the timeline of the emergency call and the subsequent medical assessment of the injured man. Officials emphasized that the animal likely associated visitors with food, a pattern they warned could encourage further risky encounters.
Visitor Safety Guidance
Royal Parks reiterated its longstanding advice: keep at least 50 metres (164 ft) from deer, never feed or touch them, and if a deer approaches, conceal food and retreat calmly. The organization urged the public not to attempt moving deer and to report any dangerous situations to police immediately.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We understand from the police that thankfully the injuries were not life-threatening.” — Royal Parks spokesperson
- “Do not try to move the deer away yourself.” — Royal Parks
