A Mentor-on-the-Lake woman said her instincts must have kicked in when a deer pursued her on her property.
“The only thing I know that saved me (is) I was on blacktop and she couldn’t get a good grip,” on the surface, said Cindy Frost of Salida Road. “I was zig-zagging and she was slipping. Had I been on grass, I don’t think I would have been that lucky. Somehow, by the grace of God, I was able to get in my house.”
Frost called police twice about the doe, whose fawn has been living under brush in her back yard. She said she is afraid to go outdoors or to take out her three small dogs without supervision. She asked police to assist once. Other times, she has a neighbor stand by with a baseball bat.
“People need to be aware this mom is irate,” she said. “I’m just afraid for kids that are out there.”
She said many deer have used the same space to have their babies, but she’s never encountered one so aggressive before. She recounted the June 2 harrowing experience, when she took her dogs out in the yard and turned around to see the doe at arm’s length. She screamed at it, but it started coming at her.
“I was beating her off with a dog leash and my fist,” said Frost, who fell twice during the incident. She said two dogs made it to the front door, but she had to grab a third. “When I got in the door, I literally collapsed. She circled my house three times. …
“Every time I leave my house now I’m looking all around. I come in before dark, because I’m afraid of being hurt.”
Frost contacted police and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, but was told there is little they could do.
The Division receives many calls per week from the public about such occurrences involving animals protecting their babies.
“Considering the deer population is thriving in areas where humans also live, I would venture to say that such encounters are quite common,” said Jamey Emmert, ODNR wildlife communications specialist. “I suggest that people give wildlife as much space as possible and respect wildlife. Many times, people approach baby animals because they appear harmless and fearless of humans, but this is not a good idea, especially for the reason being that mom is likely nearby, even if she’s out of sight, and she will do anything to protect her young.”
Emmert warned parents not to allow their children near baby wild animals and to secure pets.
“It’s unsafe for children because of the risks of being bitten, scratched or contracting an illness from the animal,” she said. “Also, it’s unfair to stress the animals or habituate them.”
Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor David Eva said he doesn’t get many deer-related calls.
“As was explained to me, this is the birthing season for deer,” he said. “I believe the doe gave birth in the woods and it takes a couple of days after birth before the fawn moves the doe. I think this is an isolated incident in Mentor-on-the-Lake.”
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