Deer vs. dog incidents repeated

Sisters resident Lorna Clarke reported witnessing several violent encounters between off-leash dogs and deer in the rough area behind the Sisters Elementary School ball field over the past month.

"Hearing screams from humans and that of the deer first alerted us to two dogs that had instantly become a hunting pack when they came upon resting deer back there," she reported. "The dog owners chased the dogs with giant sticks, while the dogs tore up the deer's legs, mouth and tongue all left hanging off its face. One of the men was hit in the chest by the deer's antlers - not quite gored but close."

Though deer are prey animals, they can be extremely dangerous when threatened - with very sharp hooves and antlers on bucks. A deer is fully capable of kicking a dog to death, and humans can be at risk of injury, too. That is Clarke's primary concern, though she noted that the injured deer must have limped off to die a slow and agonizing death from its injuries.

"I called the police, but there's really not much they can do," Clarke noted.

The elementary school playing fields are a tempting area for people to bring their dogs - but it is not a dog park. Visitors, especially those from urban areas, may not be aware that there is a potential issue with the deer.

"I don't know who these folks are - if they're visitors," Clarke said.

To avoid conflicts, dog owners should keep their dogs on a leash and under control, avoiding brushy areas that may be deer bedding habitat, and clean up after their pets.