Wick deer attack leads to first hunting with dogs sentencing

The court heard that the incident happened near Olrig cemetery in March last year.

While being chased, the deer broke a front leg and was running on its knees when the dog caught up with it and attacked.

Chenier was seen killing the deer and then putting it in the back of a van.

Police later found the carcass hanging in an outbuilding at his cottage.

DNA analysis matched the deer’s hair and bones with samples taken from the site of the attack.

The lurcher’s DNA was also found on the deer.

Following sentencing, Iain Batho, of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “Whilst it was not Nickolas Chenier’s intention for his dog to attack and injure a deer that day, this incident shows that using dogs to hunt wildlife can have additional serious and unforeseen consequences.”