Deer attacks 5-year-old boy in his backyard, Colorado wildlife officials say

A 5-year-old was attacked by a deer while playing with his dad Thursday in their backyard, Colorado officials said.

The boy was not seriously injured, officials said.

The deer would frequently rest under the family’s large trampoline in Colorado Springs, according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release.

“On Thursday afternoon, the father and son were jumping on the trampoline when the boy climbed off to get a ball,” CPW said. “His father said the deer approached the boy, smelled him, then raised up its front leg and struck the boy on his shoulder with its hoof.”

The deer then walked away from the boy, who was crying from the attack, according to Parks and Wildlife.

When wildlife officers arrived, the deer also approached them, Parks and Wildlife said.

Frank McGee, CPW area wildlife manager for the Pikes Peak region, said the deer likely was fed by people and became habituated to them.

“It showed no fear of the boy and his father,” McGee said in the news release. “And when our officers responded to the scene, it approached within a few feet of them. This tells me the deer was very comfortable around people. Dangerously comfortable. It viewed humans as a source of food.”

Wildlife officials euthanized the deer because of its aggressive behavior, according to CPW.

The incident is still under investigation, and the deer’s remains will be tested for rabies.

“This is why it is illegal to feed deer and why we urge people to make them feel uncomfortable in neighborhoods,” McGee said. “The issue is far more serious than ruined landscaping or even the wrecks they cause on a daily basis on our roads. This boy is very lucky the deer only gave him a glancing blow.”

This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 8:50 PM.