A DOG walker has described how he witnessed a German shepherd savage a Muntjac deer to the point it had to be put down.

John Smith of High Street, Dovercourt was walking his boxer dog on waste ground between Dovercourt Railway Station and the A120 at 2.30pm on Wednesday when he saw the dog maul the wild animal.

The German shepherd was with its owner but was off its lead at the time when it attacked the deer.

Mr Smith said: “The owner walked away laughing after the poor muntjac had been ripped to shreds.

“It was just left to die."

Another dog walker – Carl Smith – phoned the RSPCA but was told they would take more than an hour for them to arrive but the group managed to flag down Tendring Council dog warden Adam McGoldrick who pulled over to help.

Sadly the deer could not be saved.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said anyone with information about the incident should call 0300 1234 999.