TWO stags were rescued after getting their antlers tangled in stock fencing and electric wires.

A member of the public spotted the two exhausuted deer thrashing around in a muddy stream in woodland near Lydney and called the RSPCA, who dispatched two animal welfare experts to free them.

Inspector Jack Alderson and Animal Welfare Officer Steve Davies used teamwork, skill and strength to extricate the animals, who ran off none the worse for their experience.

Inspector Alderson said: “We found the deer in a heavily wooded area but were concerned as to how we would free the deer without getting harmed.

“The two deer had thrown themselves around so much that they ended up exhausted and in a muddy stream with their antlers buried into the ground.

“They were held there long enough for us to get close and cut one of the deer

loose from the entanglement, who ran off unscathed.

“The second deer remained where he was, clearly exhausted, as we cut off more of the fencing and wire from his antlers. With a bit of time, he too stood up and ran off.

“It was a great rescue – albeit at the cost of a quick uniform change as the deer weren’t the only ones covered in mud!”

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care go to www.rspca.org.uk/give