EXCLUSIVE: “Our Deer Are Not A Problem To Be Disposed Of, They Are Living Animals And Their Future Deserves More Than A Decision To CULL.

14th October 202614th October 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Deer Cull, Harold Hill, Harold Hill Deer Aid, Havering Council min read

Jan and Shantel from Harold Hill Deer Aid today write in the Havering Daily.

Our deer are not a problem to be disposed of. They are living animals, and their future deserves more than a decision to cull.

Following the recent Havering Daily article discussing calls for a cull of the wild deer in Harold Hill, Noak Hill and the surrounding area, Harold Hill Deer Aid feels compelled to speak out.

This is an incredibly difficult and upsetting situation for us.

We have spent almost 10 years dedicating our time, energy and personal resources to helping injured, distressed and dying wildlife.

The thought that the deer we have worked so hard to protect could now be killed as a means of population control is deeply distressing.

But this is not simply an emotional reaction. We believe there are important questions that deserve answers.

Harold Hill Deer Aid was formed in 2017 by a handful of local residents who often found themselves in the same places, trying to help the same deer.

We had no idea then that we would develop into a demanding, 24/7 wildlife rescue and advice service, working alongside specialist vets, wildlife hospitals, the police, fire services and other organisations and with over 6,400 facebook followers and a vast network of people alerting us to anything suspicious or concerning.

We have attended countless road traffic accidents, searched for injured animals in difficult and remote locations, rescued deer trapped in dangerous situations and witnessed the consequences of habitat loss, irresponsible behaviour and wildlife being forced into conflict with people and roads.

We have experienced the heartbreak of animals that could not be saved, and the immense relief of those we have helped return to safety.

We do this voluntarily, alongside our jobs, families and personal responsibilities. We receive no regular funding, and we have never undertaken this work for recognition or reward.

We do it because wildlife matters.

WE ARE NOT PRETENDING THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM

We recognise that concerns have been raised about deer numbers, woodland regeneration and biodiversity. We understand that a population estimated at around 900 deer, moving freely across a wide area, presents a difficult management challenge.

We are not asking the Council to ignore those concerns, nor are we claiming that a simple, immediate non-lethal solution already exists.

What we are asking is that the lives of these animals are not written off before every credible alternative has been properly investigated.

WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ACTION

Harold Hill Deer Aid did not simply object to the idea of a cull and leave it to others to find an answer.

We commissioned and paid for a specialist report from expert Deer Veterinary Services examining possible non-lethal methods of population control.

The report identifies potential approaches but also explains their considerable practical, veterinary and legal limitations. It does not promise an easy answer, particularly for a large, free-roaming population.

We are being honest about that.

However, we believe this work should be the starting point for a serious discussion with the Council and the relevant specialists. We want to establish whether any lawful, scientifically credible and humane approach could make a meaningful difference.

Why should a voluntary wildlife rescue group have to fund the initial investigation into alternatives, while the possibility of killing these animals is being discussed?

We believe the Council should now help establish what is genuinely possible.

OUR CONCERNS GO BEYOND THE DEER

Dagnam Park and the surrounding green spaces are home to a wide range of wildlife. We have already witnessed the consequences of development and habitat loss, including changes in deer movements and the dangers faced by animals crossing busy roads.

We have campaigned for deer-warning signs, worked with relevant authorities and construction companies, and pressed for measures to improve road safety with barely any support.

Following the installation of fencing associated with road developments, we observed a substantial reduction in wildlife road traffic incidents along the A12.

Our experience has taught us that practical measures, collaboration and a willingness to listen can make a difference.

We do not want to see the park’s wildlife reduced to a single argument about deer numbers. We want a healthy natural environment in which woodland, vegetation and wildlife can be protected together.

We are calling for:

🦌 An urgent, independent assessment of the realistic non-lethal options available for this population.

📋 A proper review of the specialist veterinary report we have already commissioned.

🌳 An evidence-based assessment of the ecological concerns, including the effects of habitat loss and the movements of deer across the wider area.

❤️ A transparent explanation of the current position, including whether a decision to cull has actually been made.

🤝 A commitment to investigate credible alternatives before any final decision on lethal population control.

We welcome the willingness to discuss a humane solution, and we stand ready to work constructively with the Council and the relevant specialists. But this must be a meaningful process, rather than a conversation that leads nowhere.

We appreciate that not everyone will agree with us. We also understand that residents have genuine concerns about the park’s future.

But disagreement should not prevent us from asking difficult questions or seeking a better way forward.

Harold Hill Deer Aid is a wildlife rescue group.

We are not the authority responsible for managing the deer population, and we cannot deliver a programme of population control ourselves. But we can contribute our experience, evidence and the specialist advice we have worked hard to obtain.

We believe that responsible management must consider the welfare of the animals as well as the health of their habitat.

We ask Havering Council to work with us to establish whether a humane alternative is possible before committing to killing these deer.

These animals have been part of our local landscape for generations. They are precious to many residents, and their future deserves to be considered with care, transparency and compassion.

Please do not mistake our willingness to work constructively for acceptance that a cull is inevitable. We are asking for a humane alternative to be properly explored, and we will continue to advocate for that outcome.

❤️🦌 Harold Hill Deer Aid Wildlife Rescue Group

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