Guy Carpenter, 42, an editor for a church magazine, appeared in court after picking up a dead deer from the central reservation of the A66 near Barnard Castle, County Durham, with the intention of taking it home to eat.
The incident occurred on June 7 when Carpenter spotted the animal, pulled over, and placed it on his shoulders. He was subsequently stopped by police officers who informed him that his actions constituted a crime.
Carpenter was issued a court summons and appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, facing a charge under The Deer Act 1991 for removing the carcass of a deer without the consent of the owner or occupier of the land. He stated that the ordeal has caused him extreme stress and described it as "entirely unnecessary."
"A dead animal on the road would be seen as a liability, rather than an asset, to anyone," Carpenter commented, adding that he believed he was saving others time and money by removing the deer himself. He noted the road was empty at the time and that he would have removed the carcass even if it were unsafe to eat, for the safety of other drivers.
Under UK law, deer are considered ownerless until killed, after which their carcasses become the property of the landowner. In this instance, the deer was on National Highways' network, making National Highways the owner.
Darren Grimes, deputy leader of the Reform party on Durham County Council, has expressed support for Carpenter, questioning the prosecution of an individual with no prior record for removing a roadkill animal with no victim or loss.
A Durham Police spokesman confirmed that Carpenter was summoned to court for the offense, stating that The Deer Act 1991 makes it illegal to take or move a deer carcass without consent from the landowner or other lawful authority.
The court heard that an out-of-court resolution is being sought, with Carpenter's next scheduled court appearance in October. He expressed that the experience has undermined his faith in the justice system.