Dog walkers have been advised to beware "the dangers lurking in the forest" after three different animals were caught with illegal traps in two weeks.

Since the beginning of October a dog, a cow and a deer have been found caught in snare traps in Hainault Forest, between Chigwell Row and Lambourne End.

The wire traps tighten around animals once caught.

The more the animal struggles the tighter the trap becomes.

While it is legal to set certain snares to catch foxes in the UK, placing them where they could trap dogs, livestock and deer is strictly forbidden.

Tara Quaine was walking through the forest when she heard a screaming sound.

The 35 year-old said: "It really does sound like a scream.

"I could see seem deer in the distance and I could see they were distressed.

"I walked through the trees and the deer scattered, except one which was trapped. I called my dog off.

"It had something rounds its neck."

Having grown up in the country, the Abridge mum immediately recognised the snare.

She added: "I held the muntjack down to try and keep it calm. I was worried it was going to have a heart attack.

"It's nostrils were all flared and it had blood on its chin.

"I picked it up and hauled the trap off.

"It bumped into a few trees then scampered away."

In the past week an American bulldog walked through the forest by its owner was caught in a similar trap.

Joan Turner, a dog walker concerned about the devices, said: "If the bulldog had struggled it would have suffocated.

"The snare had been anchored to the base of a tree with the noose set to trap any unwitting animal.

"Since these incidents occurred, it has come to light that another snare was set and this time it trapped a young heifer on grazing land within Hainault Forest.

"Dog walkers and others using the forest need to be made aware of the dangers lurking in the forest."

Jonathan Jukes, site manager for the Woodland Trust, said: “These snares were placed without our knowledge or consent.

"As such, they have been removed and the area has been searched to ensure no others were left behind.

"We have received much help from the local police, and will continue to work closely with them.

"In the meantime, we would asked any visitors to the area to remain vigilant and report any snares or unusual activity that they see at the wood.”