A 67-year-old grandfather suffered two broken ribs and a deep puncture wound to his abdomen after a stag charged and attacked him while he was walking through Tatton Park in Cheshire, park officials and the man said.
Rod Savage said the assault occurred at about 5 p.m. last Tuesday when a stag, less than 300 metres from the park entrance, locked eyes with him and then charged. His friend, Danny McNicholl, intervened by distracting the animal with a thrown branch, allowing Savage to stagger back to the park entrance where rangers provided first aid before he was taken to Macclesfield Hospital.
Savage described the encounter as “being hit by a car with antlers on the front,” and said the animal “punctured” his left side. Hospital staff examined him for injury to major organs, and a scan confirmed two broken ribs. Doctors cleaned and stitched the wound under local anaesthetic and kept him overnight; he was discharged the following day.
"Danny was brilliant. He remained calm and waited for an opportunity to distract him by lobbing a branch," Savage said. "If I'd been on my own, I dread to think what could have happened. Danny saved my life."
A Tatton Park spokesperson reminded visitors that deer are wild and can become aggressive, especially during the autumn rut, which runs from September into November. "As you enjoy the beautiful scenery in the parkland, please remember to keep at least 50m away from the deer. Do not attempt to touch or feed these animals," the spokesperson said.
Savage, who works for a green energy company, said he believed environmental conditions had contributed to the stag's behaviour. He said dry weather had reduced grass availability and that acorns were falling early, creating greater competition among deer for food.
Medical staff at Macclesfield Hospital told Savage they had not often encountered injuries from deer in similar circumstances, and park rangers who treated him at the scene helped control bleeding before his hospital transfer. Savage said he felt “very lucky” that the antlers had not pierced a major organ. He added that his daughter is expecting a child shortly and joked that the new grandchild would hear about the attack.
Authorities and conservation officials routinely warn of heightened aggression among male deer during rutting season, when testosterone levels rise and stags compete for mates. Visitors to parks with free-roaming deer are advised to observe posted warnings, keep a safe distance, avoid provoking or feeding animals, and remain vigilant on footpaths and roads through parkland.
Tatton Park is a popular public estate with open parkland where free-roaming deer are a known feature. The park's reminder followed the incident and reiterated safety guidance to help prevent similar injuries as the rutting season continues.