BLACK FOREST, Colo. – A young buck deer attacked and seriously injured a woman Friday morning as she was walking her dog along a wooded path near her home, requiring Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers to track and euthanize the animal.
The attack comes after CPW wildlife officers received tips that a neighbor of the victim was feeding the 1 ½-year-old buck – and even raised it after it was orphaned – in violation of state law.
CPW had been investigating the tips, but officers had been unable to verify the claims, or catch the neighbor in the act of feeding the deer, before Friday’s attack.
The victim suffered serious lacerations to the top of her head, her left cheek and her legs. She was taken by ambulance to a Colorado Springs hospital for treatment of her injuries. She remained hospitalized Friday night but was expected to recover.
Later Friday morning, a CPW wildlife officer was approached outside the victim’s home by a young buck with obvious blood on its antlers. Given the aggressive nature of the buck and the visible blood on its antlers, the officer euthanized the deer.
CPW officers conducted interviews in the neighborhood including with the person accused of feeding and raising the orphaned deer. Based on information gathered during the interviews, CPW officers will be issuing a citation once the investigation has concluded.
“This is another sad example of what happens when people feed wildlife,” said Frank McGee, area wildlife manager for the Pikes Peak region. “They become habituated to people, lose their fear and become aggressive and dangerous.
“This buck showed no fear of the woman and her dog. And when our officer responded to the scene, it approached within a few feet. This tells me the deer was very comfortable around people.
