South Ayrshire Council have been blasted for failing to provide a warm shelter for deer at one of their leafy green parks as winter approaches.
An animal shelter at Belleisle Park in Ayr has lain fenced off for months after being destroyed by a fallen tree back in February.
Council chiefs were set to build a new one, with a sign outside the animal compound — which usually houses 10 deer and three Herdwick sheep — stating that work would begin in August "allowing plenty time for the animals to settle in before cold weather arrives".
But one regular park user says she is concerned for the deer as October approaches with the colder nights coming in.
The concerned walker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “These deer have always had a shelter. They use it every night during the winter.
“South Ayrshire Council said they’d build a new one and nothing happened.
“I’ve phoned the council and the college, who according to the sign were set to help build the shelter, and nobody knows anything.
“Nobody seems to give a heck about it.
“Now it’s September coming into October, the nights are getting bitterly cold, and there’s still no action at all.
“The deer shelter still looks like it looked in February with its demolished roof and being fenced off.
“All that’s needed is three walls and a roof. It’s nothing fancy; it’s not five star accommodation."
The walker added that another resident had offered to build the shelter for SAC but was told no due to health and safety reasons.
And that a group of park users raised £300 to offer to the council but SAC said they couldn’t accept money.
The walker added: “We’re just worried about these deer.
“They are wild animals but they’ve been captive all their lives so they’re used to having shelter.
“They’re very popular, the kids come every day to see them.”
A council spokesperson said “work is ongoing” but didn’t provide a timeframe as to when the shelter would be built.
They said: “We are continuing to work with our partners at Ayrshire College who are building the shelter for us, and work is ongoing.
“Our consultant vet and the British Deer Society both have no concerns about the animals’ current living conditions.”
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