A rescue operation was launched today after an animal was spotted struggling in the water at Aberdeen beach.
Aberdeen Coastguard were alerted to the incident at around 10.30am, near the Fittie end of the beach.
After receiving information from the Aberdeen Lifeboat station, it emerged that a deer had been chased into the water by a number of dogs.
Two in shore lifeboats and a coastguard rescue team were deployed to the scene along with officers from Police Scotland and the SSPCA.
A coastguard spokeswoman said: “We received reports of a small deer in the water, and that it had been chased into the water by dogs.
“We sent two lifeboats to encourage the deer back towards the shore where SSPCA officers stood waiting.
“Police cleared the beach at this time.
“The SSPCA took over and we stood down.
“We are unsure of the deer’s whereabouts – it might have ran to the Fittie end of the beach.”