UP TO 300 deer escaped from a Fife farm after fences were cut in the second attack of vandalism it has suffered this year.

Many of the animals from Reediehill deer farm near Auchtermuchty had run on to the nearby road.

The deer farm run by Fletchers of Auchtermuchty was targeted by animal rights activists claiming to represent the extremist Animal Liberation Front in March.

Fife Constabulary is investigating the latest incident, which was discovered on Monday morning, and has issued an appeal for witnesses.

Although there was nothing to indicate who was responsible, John Fletcher, who owns the free-range farm with his wife Nichola, said he suspected it was activists.

Mr Fletcher said none of the animals had been injured and all but four of them were back in their field, but he said the incident would have caused anxiety for the deer.

He also said the perpetrators, who caused an estimated £5000 worth of damage, left wire lying about and encouraged the deer to run through it and on to the road.

He said, “I don’t think these people have any concept of animal welfare.”

During the last attack, graffiti had been daubed around the farm, including the initials A.L.F., the word “scum” and threats of a repeat attack.

Mr Fletcher, who is a vet, said, “We expected this would happen again, but that doesn’t change the fact that the people who do these things seem to me to be very much close-minded fundamentalists.

“The reason we produce our venison in the way that we do is so that we don’t have to send animals to abattoirs.

“Our way is more humane than any other.”

The damage, which also included cut gate chains and holes in hedging, was discovered early on Monday morning and Mr Fletcher said staff had been able to round up the animals with little difficulty.

Since the March incident, Mr Fletcher’s daughter Stella had been sleeping in a caravan on the farm to guard against future attacks but she had been away at the weekend.

Acting inspector of Fife Constabulary eastern division, Graeme Kinmond, said the animals could have been hurt and there were concerns they had suffered distress.

He said, “It is also fortunate that there were no incidents involving members of the public due to the large numbers of animals that made it on to the roadway.

“The people responsible potentially endangered the public and gave no regard for the consequences of their actions.”

Anyone who saw anything suspicious around the farm between 11am on Sunday and 7am on Monday is urged to contact police as soon as possible by calling (01592) 251111.