A 67-year-old grandfather was left with two broken ribs and a deep wound after being attacked by a stag while walking in Tatton Park, Cheshire. Rod Savage was with his friend Danny McNicholl when the animal charged at him around 5pm on Tuesday, lifting him off his feet and goring him with its antlers.
Savage described the incident as like an 'old-fashioned cowboy movie' and said he curled up and 'played dead' to protect himself. McNicholl managed to distract the stag by throwing a branch, allowing Savage to stagger to the park entrance where rangers provided first aid. He was later taken to Macclesfield Hospital.
Doctors initially feared the wound might have pierced a vital organ, but scans revealed two broken ribs and a deep puncture wound on his left side. He was kept in hospital overnight before being discharged after the wound was cleaned and stitched under local anaesthetic.
The stag's aggression is believed to be linked to the approaching rutting season and the summer heat, which has reduced food availability. Savage warned other visitors to heed warning signs and keep a safe distance from the deer, saying, 'This isn't Bambi, these are wild animals.'
A Tatton Park spokesperson reminded the public to stay at least 50 metres away from deer and not to touch or feed them, especially during the autumn rut from September to November.
