Authorities are searching for a mule deer that seriously mauled a 67-year-old woman in Colorado over the weekend.
The victim was attacked by an animal outside her home in Silver Cliff on Saturday night, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said in a news release.
After returning to her home after the incident, the woman alerted her husband and was taken to a Pueblo hospital with a stab wound to her left leg and significant bruising to her right leg, authorities said.
The deer, described as having two spikes on each antler, was later seen fighting with another young deer in the yard, which is common behavior during mating season, according to officials.
Navy veteran’s jaw torn off after bear attack: ‘Whole lower part of his mouth gone’
CPW suspects that someone may have been feeding the deer, causing the animal to lose its fear of humans. A wildlife officer noticed a bird feeder in the woman’s yard, and the victim told the agency that she was “feeding the birds and she threw out the bread” earlier that day.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I believe this is a good example of what happens when deer lose their natural fear of humans,” Mike Brown, CPW regional wildlife manager, said in a news release. “They become aggressive and dangerous. This is a good reminder that wild animals should always be treated as such and that people must give wild animals the space they need.”
He added: “We are glad this woman was not seriously injured.”
Stab wound of a woman after being gored by a deer.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Utah man mauled by bison he tried to pet on neighbor’s property: ‘Surely a reality check’
Silver Cliff is a rural community located about 55 miles west of Pueblo in the Wet Mountain Valley.
Authorities said they would euthanize the deer if they were able to find it.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education