Visitor 'strangled' country estate's duck

A visitor to a country estate "strangled" one of the attraction's runner ducks after it was attacked by their pet dog, according the estate's owners.

Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, said staff at Mapperton in Dorset were "deeply upset" after witnessing the incident at about 13:30 BST on Wednesday.

She said a white runner duck, that had been living at the estate for 10 years, was attacked by a small brown and white dog.

The dog's owner, a woman with her young son, reportedly picked up the injured "flapping" duck and strangled it before throwing the carcass into the long grass.

The viscountess said: "It took us over an hour to find the duck, and the owner ran off - got in her car and left.

"We are deeply upset, the entire team here is upset. Runner ducks are part of Mapperton.

"It's been a really sad day for us."

Luke Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke, said a staff member had seen a woman in the cafe with a small dog without a lead.

He said: "The dog unfortunately ran off and attacked one of our much-loved runner ducks outside.

"The woman then picked up the injured duck and wrung its neck before throwing the carcass into long grass near the car park.

"She then left with her young son without saying a word."

The viscount said the estate did not intend to report the incident to police but urged the woman to get in touch "to say sorry and to help find a replacement".

He said: "There are numerous signs at Mapperton asking visitors to keep their dogs on a lead because of the ducks and chickens and, while accidents can happen, it is upsetting that this person would leave the scene without saying anything."

Mapperton is home to the Montagu family but its Jacobean mansion, gardens and wildlands are open to visitors.

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.