Runners at Watertown, New York‘s Annual Turkey Day Run were met by quite the surprise as they appeared to be just leaving the start of the November 28th race. At least four deer barreled through the race course, with onlookers capturing the wild event on camera.
At least two people were hit by the running deer. According to local news channel WWNYTV, many people, including runners, stuck around to help after the incident. Two people were hurt by the animal while one was taken to the hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.
Deer aren’t usually agressive towards people, though bucks will see an increase in aggression during rut. Both males and females can run up to 35 miles per hour. As with any animal, deer should always be observed from a distance. They should never be fed by people. Read more on coexisting with deer below:
New York Tips To Coexist With Deer:
- Do not feed white-tailed deer. Feeding increases nuisance behavior, putting both deer and people at risk. It is also illegal.
- Enjoy from a distance. Seeing a deer can be an exhilarating experience. However, they are wild animals. For your safety and the safety of the deer, maintain a safe distance from deer. For a closer look, use binoculars or a camera. If an animal appears injured but does not pose a danger to others, leave the animal where it is and call 311.
- Drive with caution, especially at dawn and dusk. Deer are most active in the evening and early morning, and especially during the fall mating season.
- Check for ticks after visiting a park or greenspace. Humans and dogs may contract tick-borne diseases if bitten by an infected tick.
- Leave fawns alone. It is normal for mother does to leave fawns unattended for long periods each day.
- Call 911 to report any immediate threats to public safety or animal welfare.