The incident took place around 4.30pm on Thursday (Feb 26) outside the front gates to Garth prison where a blue Citroen Berlingo car pulled up and let out a lurcher dog which then attacked the Fallow doe, according to police.

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.

The dog was captured by police and is now subject to examination and held as evidence.

Lancashire Constabulary Wildlife Officer Duncan Thomas said: "This is a sickening attack on a defenceless animal and these people must be caught. The Fallow Doe was pregnant.

"They carried out this crime purely for sport and self gratification and I would urge anyone with any information about this incident to come forward."

Anybody with information about any wildlife crime in their area should contact Lancashire Police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.