Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are investigating a wildlife attack in Craig, according to a news release from the agency.<\/p>\n
CPW responded at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to a mule deer doe with two fawns that allegedly attacked and injured an 85-year-old woman as the woman walked her dog within city limits near Sunset Meadows.<\/p>\n
According to the officers, the woman has been transported to Memorial Regional Health with \u201cserious injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officers believe the woman and her dog surprised the animal, leading to an unusually aggressive response by the doe.<\/p>\n
Doe attacks are rare but wildlife officers say they can happen and they can be serious, especially when the animal is rearing her young.<\/p>\n
At about 8 p.m., CPW officers located and captured the doe and her fawns at Schrader Avenue and Finley Lane.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn accordance with agency policy and due to the doe\u2019s extremely aggressive behavior, CPW will put the animal down to protect public safety. The fawns will be taken to a local rehabilitation facility,\u201d the release read. \u201cThe doe\u2019s carcass will be taken to CPW\u2019s Wildlife Health Lab for a full necropsy.\u201d<\/p>\n
CPW warns residents about the dangers of approaching any wildlife, especially females with offspring.<\/p>\n
Mike Porras, public information officer for CPW\u2019s northwest region, said that while mule deer are often docile around humans, it\u2019s never a guarantee, much less when fawns are involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere can always be anomalies in their behavior,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n