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Plymouth deer 'shot in head with crossbow' Plymouth deer 'shot in head with crossbow'
(about 2 hours later)
A man has been arrested following reports a wild deer has been shot in the head with a crossbow. A wild deer has reportedly been shot in the head with a crossbow in what police have called a "barbaric" act.
Police and RSPCA officers said it is possible the animal has been wounded and may still be alive. Police and RSPCA officers said it was possible the animal had been wounded and was still alive.
They have searched Plymbridge Woods on the outskirts of Plymouth in Devon after the incident was reported on Sunday. They have searched Plymbridge Woods near Plymouth in Devon after the incident was reported on Sunday.
Officers are appealing for help from people living near the area to report any sightings of injured deer. A 25-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, has been released on bail until 7 February.
'Extremely dangerous''Extremely dangerous'
Officers are appealing for help from people living in the area to report any sightings of injured deer.
Sgt Ryan Canning, Plymouth's wildlife crime officer, said: "It is barbaric and it's also extremely dangerous.Sgt Ryan Canning, Plymouth's wildlife crime officer, said: "It is barbaric and it's also extremely dangerous.
"This is public woodland on a Sunday morning. There's always children and dog walkers around.""This is public woodland on a Sunday morning. There's always children and dog walkers around."
He said people should not approach the animal, thought to be one of a herd in the area which is close to Dartmoor National Park.He said people should not approach the animal, thought to be one of a herd in the area which is close to Dartmoor National Park.
"We know that the deer has a crossbow bolt in its head, but we don't know the severity of the injury," he said."We know that the deer has a crossbow bolt in its head, but we don't know the severity of the injury," he said.
"It's possible that we could still save the animal if we found it."It's possible that we could still save the animal if we found it.
"But if it is deceased we would need to recover the bolt.""But if it is deceased we would need to recover the bolt."
A 25-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, is being held at Charles Cross police station.