Community Corner

Deer Put Down After Hiker's Dog Attacks Near Millard Canyon

Fish and Wildlife officials had to put down the seriously injured and seemingly pregnant doe Tuesday afternoon.

A doe attacked by a hiker’s off leash dog near the Millard Canyon Campground Tuesday afternoon was put down by the Department of Fish & Wildlife (formerly Fish & Game).

The doe was in “bad shape” and had bite marks on the neck and head, a broken leg and appeared to be pregnant, Millard Canyon caretaker Lonnie Fehr told Patch via email.

Shortly after the incident, a call was made to the Millard Campground caretaker, who contacted Forest Service Dispatch, who called Fish & Wildlife, Bonny Schumaker, from locally-based animal rescue On Wings of Care told Patch.

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Schumaker, who was out of town, tried to get a hold of a veterinarian but Fish and Wildlife made it to the area first and “shot the doe mercifully,” said Schumaker. 

“The doe was suffering from severe bleeding dog bite wounds on her neck and head,” said Schumaker and may have broken both legs.

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“This was a completely unnecessary tragedy to one of the few remaining healthy does since the Station Fire almost four years ago, in one of the few remaining green areas of the Angeles National Forest,” Schumaker noted.

Schumaker made contact with the suspected hiker who owns the dog and the dog is known to chase local wildlife, according to Schumaker.

This is not the first time a dog has injured a local deer, Fehr told Patch. Previously, another deer suffered a broken leg from a dog chasing it and was never found.

“People need to understand once and for all that there is NO area of the national forest where it is okay for their dogs to chase wildlife, and that anyone who is caught near Millard Canyon or vicinity allowing their dogs to do so, will face very serious reprimands, fines, and other repercussions,” said Schumaker.

Fehr recommended this article about dogs chasing wildlife.

What do you think of this story? Do you ever hike with a dog off leash or see others do so? Do you think this is a large problem? Share in the comments.


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