Deer can be dangerous when protecting their young, warned conservation officer Murray Smith, after residents from Halfmoon Bay claimed they were attacked by a militant buck recently.
"The message for the public is to recognize that in the spring, deer with fawns become very defensive when their young are confronted by dogs and will attack," he said. "The public must ensure that their dogs are leashed when out for walks near forested areas, to allow some control of the situation."
The threat will taper with the spring, he said, but for now, residents should exercise vigilance.
Earlier this month, Laurie Vance and her husband were on a walk along the beach when they came upon one such deer. Vance said that other people out for a stroll that day had also experienced unfortunate run-ins with the creature.
She said the deer was "very aggressive" towards her husband, knocking him to the ground. During the scuffle, the couple lost control of their dogs who, running loose, were being chased by the animal.
"He was winning," she said.
Fortunately, Vance's pack was saved by some construction workers who had witnessed the events.
"We just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," Vance said. "The deer was, I'm sure, protecting a baby somewhere."
When Smith investigated the area, he was unable to locate the deer or any young.
Smith said he had investigated two similar occurrences in the Halfmoon Bay area this year.
While deer have been known to attack dogs, in some cases killing or seriously injuring them, attacks on people are "very rare," he said.
"Generally the deer puts the run on the dog or roughs it up. Outside of springtime, there is usually less worry of deer attacking dogs; however, the public must be in control of their dogs at all times of the year, regardless."
Smith said last week that the deer had left the area.
He said an earlier report made by a Secret Cove resident had described a doe attacking dogs and their owner.
"There have been a number of reports in B.C. within the past couple of years of female deer, with fawns, attacking dogs that get too close," he said.
