WESTWOOD, Mass. -- A deer went on the attack in a local backyard, trampling a family's pet dog.
"I think she had him down on the ground and was stomping him," said Anne Georges, the dog's owner. "My husband heard him barking and yelping."
The 11-year-old Zeke was in his Westwood yard when the deer and her two fawns trotted in.
"He probably just barked like he does; he's territorial. I think the doe was somewhere where it didn't see him and attacked him, you know, trying to defend its baby," Georges said.
MSPCA experts agree that the deer must have felt threatened and defended her fawns.
"When my husband got out here originally he said the deer was standing there and he'd never seen one in such an aggressive stance," Georges said.
The deer left Zeke with two wounds.
"It was just bright red and the hair was totally missing," the owner said.
The dog's injuries required a night in intensive care, an IV, and stitches.
Experts said deer attacks are extremely rare and this incident was likely an unfortunate encounter.
"I have new found respect for Bambi's survival skills," Georges said.
Zeke is expected to make a full recovery.
Officials at the MSPCA urge pet owners to keep an eye on their pets when it comes to wild animals.
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