Buck entangled in Christmas lights has to wait for antlers to fall off, rescuers say
An unlucky buck was spotted with Christmas lights wrapped around its antlers last week in Northern California — and animal officers said they weren’t able to help the entangled deer.
“If you’re getting ready to decorate your yard for the holidays, be sure to read this first,” Marin Humane, an animal rescue group in the northern San Francisco Bay Area, said in a Facebook post sharing the buck’s story on Monday.
During the week of Thanksgiving, a Marin Humane animal service officer responded to a call in San Anselmo reporting that the buck’s antlers were tangled up in strings of Christmas lights, according to the animal rescue group.
Although the officer “was unable to get close enough to the buck to catch him, she did get these incredible shots,” the animal group said.
“Catching deer is extremely difficult and catching a buck is even trickier. Our officers would have to use a control pole to get a handle on him, which leaves them open to the risk of being charged and injured,” Marin Human explained. “Luckily, this guy is still able to graze and run just fine. Our officers will continue to monitor the situation but with winter approaching, we’re hopeful he’ll naturally shed his antlers soon, lights and all.”
Marin Humane said the photos should remind those decorating for the holidays that outdoor lights and other decor should be secure and “high enough where they’re less likely to be an issue for wildlife.”
One animal rescue worker speculated about how the buck may have gotten ensnared in the decorations.
“What likely happened is that the lights were draped loosely over a bush or hanging very low and the buck ran through them, getting his antlers tangled up,” Marin Humane Animal Services Director Cindy Machado said, according to CBS SF.
The pictures released by Marin Humane show the lights balled up in a nest on both antlers, obstructing part of the deer’s face and eyes.
“We’re lucky to share our space with so many animals in Marin County so let’s be mindful of their safety, even when we’re getting festive!” the group said.
One Facebook commenter suggested animal officers could use a tranquilizer dart on the deer, but Marin Humane rejected that idea as risky.
“It’s much too dangerous to use a tranquilizer on this deer,” the animal group responded. “He’s in a populated area and could easily jump out into traffic before it takes effect, putting both him and the public in danger. Fortunately, he’s still completely mobile and can feed himself.”
It’s not just Christmas decor that poses a risk to animals.
Earlier this year, Marin Humane also warned about the dangers that Halloween decorations such as fake cobwebs can pose to wildlife.
“Every year, wildlife and domestic pets face dangers during Halloween,” Lisa Bloch of Marin Humane said in an email to McClatchy news group earlier this year. “We urge people to decorate and celebrate responsibly.”
This story was originally published December 3, 2019 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Buck entangled in Christmas lights has to wait for antlers to fall off, rescuers say."
