SILVER CLIFF, Colo. — A mule deer buck attacked a 67-year-old woman and gored her leg on Saturday, said Colorado Parks and Wildlife, whose officers were looking for the deer.
The attack happened in Silver Cliff, a small Custer County town about 55 miles west of Pueblo near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, CPW said in a news release.
The woman told CPW officers that the buck, which was described as having two spikes on each antler, attacked her outside her front door. She had a puncture wound on her left leg and bruising on her right leg, and was taken to a hospital in Pueblo.
After the attack, two young bucks were seen sparring in the yard, which is common behavior during the rut.
CPW said officers were searching for the deer, which will be euthanized if it's found, to prevent more attacks.
A wildlife officer who went to investigate found a bird feeder in the yard. The woman told an officer that she feeds birds and had thrown out bread earlier that day, CPW said.
Mike Brown, area wildlife manager for CPW, said the attack raised concerns that someone in the area has been feeding the deer, causing it to lose its fear of people. He said he was glad the woman wasn't more seriously injured.
"I believe this is a good example of what happens when deer lose their natural fear of humans," Brown said in the release. "They become aggressive and dangerous. This is a good reminder that wild animals should always be treated as such and that people need to give wildlife the space they need."
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