A retired marine consultant fears that a stag he has observed parading through moorland with rope entangled in its antlers could suffer “catastrophic” injuries.
Morris MacLeod, from Newmarket on the outskirts of Stornoway, first spotted the animal with blue nylon rope stuck in its antlers around a month ago.
The amateur photographer reported the incident to the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) but claims nothing has been done about it since.
Mr MacLeod observed the animal again on Friday morning and was able to capture images and a video.
He said: “I saw this particular animal at least a month ago with the rope around its antlers.
“I reported it to the SSPCA and they have done nothing.
“The big concern is the rope is trailing behind him and getting dragged along.
“They jump fences here regularly and if that was to be caught as he is jumping over a fence – it could be catastrophic.”
The rope is believed to have come from a collapsed gate within the moorland, with Mr MacLeod hopeful that the stag will be able to get rid of it through natural casting.
The SSPCA has said staff are aware of the incident and have issued advice to locals to refrain from approaching the animal and trying to remove the rope.
SSPCA inspector Calum Watt said: “It is impossible to capture and restrain a full-grown red deer stag without causing considerable distress to the animal and putting any humans involved at considerable risk.
“Were the stag entangled with something, or if the rope was preventing him from moving freely or accessing food or water, we would try and intervene.”