POLICE are trying to trace a man and a woman after three dogs they were walking attacked and killed a deer in front of onlookers in a car park last week.

The attack happened at Gullane Bents beach in East Lothian at around 4.50pm on Friday.

Lothian and Borders Police said a man and woman were walking two deerhounds and a greyhound along the beach.

When they entered the car park the dogs attacked a passing deer, inflicting fatal abdominal wounds before they were brought under control.

A police spokesman said: "This is obviously a distressing incident, especially for those members of the public who were in the car park and saw what happened.

"We are appealing for assistance to help trace the man and woman who were with the dogs, and anyone with any information that can assist our inquiries should contact police immediately.

"We would also appeal directly to the man and woman to come forward."