A YOUNG deer was cared for in Fishcross by an animal rescue charity after it managed to lodge itself in a fence.

The Scottish SPCA was alerted after a member of the public spotted the mammal in Coatbridge on Sunday morning.

Freeing the deer was not easy for Sian Robertson, animal rescue officer, who said: “He was likely stuck for a few hours as he’d managed to pull a lot of his coat out by the time I arrived.

“The fence backs onto a field so it’s possible he was spooked by something and hasn’t been looking where he was going.

“I couldn’t get the poor guy out without hurting him so I put a blanket over his head to calm him down and a local resident very kindly offered to give the deer some water whilst waiting on the fire service arriving to assist.

“The firefighters from Coatdyke station were fantastic. They tried various tools but ended up having to use spreaders to bend the thick pillars above the deer which allowed us to free him.”

The animal was taken to the charity's National Wildlife Rescue Centre in the Wee County where it was given some medicine for bruising and was then released back into the wild.

Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed animal should call the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999.