Orphaned rescue deer lives at home with new 'mother'- but isn't allowed to watch TV

Ferne, a six-week-old roe deer was found abandoned by a roadside.

Her life was saved by kind benefactor Maxine Scott, who tended to her and lets her live in the family home.

Ferne's mother is feared to have died, as the deer is unwell and having to be nursed back to health.

Maxine Scott, who runs an animal sanctuary in Comrie, Perthshire, even lets the little animal on her sofa.

However, she maintains the deer has not been allowed to watch TV.

The 60-year-old said: "Fern was found cold and wet at a roadside and I got a phone call from the couple who found her.

"We think her mother was probably killed on the road, but we will never know. She was going to die without intervention.

"I brought her home and she needed special care so I am keeping her in the house to feed her up.

"I think she's about six weeks old now and we've been hand-rearing her for about four to five weeks.

"She just stays in the living room in the farm house where I live with my family.

"She has a pet box — it's like a large pet carrier."

Over the years Maxine has hand-reared monkeys, baby wallabies, lambs, hedgehogs and even a Highland calf at her Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre.

She said the shy little deer is beginning to venture outside, but is easily startled.

The animal doesn't like people she doesn't know,

She added: "I have tried to put her outside several times into an enclosure but she is too timid and she freaks out.

"She will interact with me and she likes getting scratched. But she's scared of other people. It's a natural instinct.

"We don't encourage her watching TV and are trying to get her outside as much as possible.

"We'll let her go out in her own time."