A portion of Gellatly Nut Farm in West Kelowna is temporarily closed because of an aggressive deer with two fawns.
(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)
June 11, 2024 - 3:57 PM
An aggressive deer in West Kelowna sent a woman to hospital with injuries and killed one of her dogs last night, prompting a warning from Conservation Officers.
The Ministry of Environment says the woman was walking her two Chihuahuas near the Westgate Mobile Home Park at 5:30 p.m. June 10 when the doe attacked, trampled and killed one of her two dogs. She was able to get help and scare off the deer. The woman was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A release from the ministry says Conservation Officers responded and determined it was a "defensive attack" as the doe was protecting its fawn.
"(Conservation Officers) conducted public outreach and education to residents and posted signs in the area warning people of an aggressive deer," the ministry said.
Deer and ungulates are often with their young this time of year and are more likely to be aggressive. It's the second incident in the area in less than a month.
Central Okanagan Regional District's parks department opted to close part of the Gellatly Nut Farm, just up the road from the mobile home park, for several days beginning May 31, because of an aggressive deer encounter with a patron. That deer was also deemed to be protecting its fawn. A dog was kicked to death in the same park last November.
The ministry says people should take precautions around all wildlife by leashing your dogs, travelling in groups and keeping your distance. For more tips, go to WildSafeBC.com.
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