OH DEER: Chorleywood resident charged hefty amount for dead deer removal

A councillor is attempting to get a policy changed that charges residents for removal of dead animals after a Chorleywood resident was charged £57 for removal of a dead deer.

Cllr Alison Wall, for the Chorleywood North and Sarratt ward, told CHORLEYWOODnews, that the resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, found the deer after it had wandered into her garden while injured, and promptly died there.

Upon calling Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) for the animal’s removal, the resident was charged £57. As stated on their website, the council’s current policy is that: “If the animal e.g., a fox or badger is on private property we can do this for a charge of £57.

“If you find a dead domestic pet (cat or dog) on your property that doesn’t belong to you we will collect free of charge.”

Cllr Wall believes this is wrong and is attempting to get this changed. She said: “I believe the policy to be absurd, as clearly a wild animal can die on anyone’s land. The public may decide to drag an animal onto the public highway, but this would be a public health risk.

“I understand this deer was covered in maggots. Our residents are facing the cost-of-living crisis, as well as a hike in Council tax and this service should be included in general services, without incurring extra charges.

“Of course, small animals on private property should be the responsibility of the resident; we wouldn’t expect the Council to attend and remove such small animals, but a deer is a different matter.”

Upon raising the issue with TRDC officers, cllr Wall was told that the policy was agreed in budget setting six years ago. She has also applied to reimburse the resident from her own allowance as a councillor.

As for the resident, she stated: “It’s a public health risk. It should be covered by the council tax.”

When contacted for comment by TRDC, we were redirected to their webpage outlining their policy on dead animals, as shown above.

Photo Credit: Peter O’Connor