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Amanda Freegard with rescued deer

A Corsham family had an early morning wake up call after a deer got stuck in a neighbours' gate last week.

Mum-of-three Amanda Freegard, who lives in Bences Lane, sprung into action to help rescue the little mammal.

Meanwhile, husband Martyn called the fire brigade and their local vet.

The animal-loving family are experienced in pet care, as owners of four German Shepherd dogs, rats, ferrets and guinea pigs.

Mrs Freegard, who used to study animal care, said: "I knew what to do. The deer was shrieking, it was a horrible sound. It was very distressed. So I dashed out, still wearing my pyjama top, grabbed a coat and put it over the deer's head to calm it down. My five-year-old son Chris then brought a coat out for me.

"The deer was quite small, it came up to just past my knees, and it was well and truly wedged in between my neighbours gate. It tried to push through the gate but got stuck "It wasn't long before the fire brigade arrived and cut a couple of the bars to free it."

While they were waiting for the vet to come and check the creature for injuries, Mrs Freegard, 29, took it into her sons' bedroom to keep it safe.

She said: "It was quite happy, lying on the bed but did try to jump through the ceiling at one point so I sat with it for five minutes. I called the RSPCA to see when they could come to collect the deer to release it and they told me if it wasn't injured I may as well release it. So I led it downstairs and out of the house. Before I could get out of the garden it head-butted me and ran off. I though that's nice, that's the thanks I get for helping you!"

A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they attended to cut the deer free from the gate.

Watch manager Mark Unwin said: "it only took a few minutes to free it and it had a few cuts and bruises on its neck so we left the deer with a family for the vet to arrive."

Mrs Freegard, also mum to Martyn, seven, and Peter, eight, added: "Afterwards, my sons were complaining there was deer hair on their bed. We often see deer in the area but this is the first time one has been in the house."

11:25am Monday 25th February 2008

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