Police have shot and killed a white deer that was spotted running through the streets of a town.

Although fallow are quite common across much of the UK, the white fallow (which are not albinos) are not seen as often as the other three main colour types – common, menil and black.

It’s not surprising then that people in Bootle, Merseyside, were shocked to see the rare animal roaming about on Sunday morning at around 8:45am.

Merseyside Police received reports of the stag sightings shortly afterwards and managed to secure it on an industrial estate off Melling Road, the BBC reports.

A vet was called in order to monitor the buck’s welfare and assist with attempts to control it.

The RSPCA said it had advised officers to “leave the deer as it would make its own way back home” eventually.

However, police said they were “unable to get assistance” after making enquiries “to find an organisation who could assist with recovering the deer safely”, which then became distressed.

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Officers argue that there wasn’t an option to let the deer wander as it could be a danger to motorists and pedestrians and came to the decision to euthanise it.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said that while the deer could have been sedated, "this needs to be done with caution in a public area such as this one, as the deer could startle and run when hit by the dart, which could then create a bigger public safety and animal welfare issue.”

The spokesperson added: "Although deer traditionally live in forests, moors and parkland, they are becoming more common in urban environments across the UK."

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