Nelson Police have arrested five people involved in an shocking incident where a mob of eight deer were targeted with a vehicle.

A stag was struck by the vehicle and subsequently killed by those involved.

The deer were hit about 3am on 30 March, while two vehicles were driving on the Marsden Valley Road in Stoke.

Police alleged the animals were targeted deliberately, while video of the incident was subsequently uploaded online.

Following a number of enquiries, police executed warrants at several Nelson properties and arrested three “men.”

A 20-year-old Nelson man was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, reckless driving, reckless ill-treatment of a wild animal, and unlawful hunting.

A 19-year-old Nelson man has also been charged with unlawful hunting and reckless ill-treatment of a wild animal.

Both are due to reappear in the Nelson District Court on 29 April.

A 21-year-old Nelson man has been summonsed to appear in court on 20 May, charged with unlawful hunting.

Two 16-year-olds have been referred to Youth Aid.

In a statement police said they wanted to thank members of the community who assisted the investigation and brought the video to ther attention.