A cocker spaniel is lucky to be alive after it was trampled by a deer in Richmond Park.

Lola, six, was attacked while walking on a lead with her owner Sarah Jowett, deputy head teacher at Poplar Primary School in Morden, on Sunday, June 16.

Mrs Jowett, from Kingston, spotted a female deer not far away and, aware she may have young, turned away.

But before she could get away the deer suddenly leapt on Lola and started stamping on her.

She said: "It all happened so quickly.

"We knew that it's the time of year when young deer are in the park and females can be on the defensive but we were sticking to the path and trying not to do anything which could unsettle them.

"Lola was screaming as the deer leapt on her.

"In the end I managed to fight her off, pick Lola up and get away."

Lola sustained four fractured ribs and a collapsed lung during the attack, but has made a good recovery.

Roger Bralow, head vet at Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital in Wimbledon, said: "Deer attacks are unfortunately not uncommon at this time of year.

"Mrs Jowett and Lola were sticking to approved paths and not doing anything to provoke them which just confirms how protective they can be about their young.

"It's vital that dog walkers are particularly vigilant and stay well away from the deer."