Thugs use phones to film dog attack on female deer

The attack took place the front gates of Garth prison in Leyland, Lancashire, at about 4.30pm on Thursday when a blue Citroen Berlingo car pulled up and the lurcher was released from the vehicle.

A Lancashire police spokeswoman said: "Witnesses to the incident say the occupants filmed the attack on their mobile phones before driving off and leaving the lurcher feeding on the animal's carcass.

Officers captured the dog and are now holding the animal as evidence, she added.

Lancashire Constabulary wildlife officer Duncan Thomas said: "This is a sickening attack on a defenceless animal and these people must be caught."