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Dog killed by deer

BY Trina Berlo, staff June 30, 2009 11:06

Claire Smith was both devastated and surprised to learn that a deer had killed her dog.

Smith said it happened on a dark evening in late January.

Lexie, a docile 75-pound, seven-year old Doberman Pincer, with a bit of Labrador Retriever mixed in, was tied in the backyard when she got out of her collar and followed a deer.

"A vet told us the deer must have kicked her in the back and broke her back... she died instantly," said Smith, adding the incident possibly happened while the deer was trying to jump over the dog.

There was deer track all around the body when her husband found it. She had only been outside for 10 minutes.

Smith said she lives in the Blueberry Trail neighbourhood and it is heavily populated with deer.

"I think she saw or heard the deer in the neighbouring property and I think she pulled and pulled and managed to snap the collar," said Smith, adding that the dog then followed the tracks.

Smith said deer can put out a powerful kick.

"Talking to other people... It happens more often than you'd think," said Smith.

She said she is concerned because she sees people walking on the trails in the area with their pets running free and while blame cannot be placed on either the dog or the deer there is a danger.

"My concern is that other animals are going to get killed," said Smith.

She encourages people to keep their pets safe by keeping them on a leash and only letting them run free in designated parks.

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