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ATTEMPTS are being made to kill deer by luring them on to a rural road - with bread and jam.

Officers believe poachers may be responsible for the action at a village near Dorchester and are appealing for information.

It is thought there may be a upsurge in the poaching trade in the run-up to Christmas.

PC Rick O'Shea said: "We understand that over the last three weeks pieces of bread and jam have been left out in Main Road at Tolpuddle.

"It is being replaced regularly between 4pm and 5pm when it starts to get dark.

"I can't be sure why this is being done, but I hear it's a trick to attract deer.

"Locals have told us that a few deer have been killed in the location and their carcasses have disappeared from the road quickly so it's possible poachers are responsible."

As well as being concerned about the illegal culling of deer police are worried about the implications for drivers.

Dorset is one of the highest risk areas in England for knocking down wild deer with up to 550 incidents each year.

The county has one of the largest sika deer populations, with most found between Weymouth, Dorchester and Swanage.

PC O'Shea said: "Deer crossing roads can present a hazard to motorists anyway so it's obviously a concern if someone is deliberately trying to lure animals on to a road."

Wild deer are protected by the Deer Act in the close season although culls are carried out each year to manage numbers.

A spokesman for Dorset Wildlife Trust said: "We're aware of the problem of deer getting on to roads, but we've not heard about this incident.

"Culling deer has to be done properly in association with the landowner and other experts.

"This sounds like an inhumane way to kill them, which is also causing a danger to road users."

12:44pm Friday 30th November 2007

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