Colorado woman, 67, suffers horrific puncture wound after mule deer gores her outside her home

A 67-year-old Colorado woman suffered a puncture wound to her leg after she was gored by an “aggressive” mule deer outside her home Saturday evening, officials said.

The woman was attacked by a small mule deer buck, armed with two spikes on each antler, in front of the door to her Silver Cliff home, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a news release.

The victim suffered a puncture wound to her left leg and horrific bruising on her right leg before she was able to scurry back inside, CPW said.

Following the sudden attack, two young bucks were seen sparring in her yard, which is common behavior during mating season, the agency said.

The woman was brought to the hospital after calling her husband.

Officials are searching for the deer and will euthanize the animal if they find it, CPW said.

Warning: Graphic Images

The deer might have been drawn to the house because of a bird feeder on the property.

“A wildlife officer went to investigate and found a bird feeder in the yard,” said Mike Brown, CPW area wildlife manager in the region.

“The victim told a CPW officer that she feeds birds and had thrown out bread earlier that day.”

Because the deer launched at the woman so close to her home, officials quickly speculated that someone had been feeding the deer, which led the animal to lose its fear of people.

“I believe this is a good example of what happens when deer lose their natural fear of humans,” Brown also said.

“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.

“We’re glad this woman wasn’t more seriously injured.” 

The incident happened in a town of 600 that is about 50 miles from Pueblo in Colorado.