A young deer in the metro Detroit area was rescued this week after a ten day effort to locate the animal, which had a plastic pumpkin stuck over its mouth. The buck was initially spotted in a Livonia neighborhood, where the container prevented it from eating or drinking. This condition raised significant concerns among observers that the animal might starve before it could be freed.
Jessica Cross first recorded video of the deer after seeing it in her neighborhood. She described the scene as initially amusing but quickly realized the animal was in trouble. Cross noted that the buck ran toward two other deer, but they fled in fear. She observed that while the pumpkin was centered on the deer's face, making it look somewhat cute, the situation was also disturbing because the animal could not free itself.
The search operation was led by the Detroit Animal Welfare Group, known as D.A.W.G. Kelley LaBonty, the group's director, explained that incidents involving deer getting their heads or mouths caught in plastic pumpkins are a common occurrence around Halloween. LaBonty stated that the organization receives multiple calls regarding such incidents every year, noting that it is not an isolated event for this specific season.
For ten days, volunteers attempted to locate the buck while the public shared sightings on social media. LaBonty emphasized the urgency of the search, describing the animal as a beautiful young baby that deserved a chance to live. The search culminated on Sunday when volunteers fanned out across Hines Park in Westland. This location was miles away from the original sighting in Livonia, indicating the deer had traveled a considerable distance.
As darkness was approaching, the team received a call that the deer had been located. LaBonty recalled that volunteers were just about to pack up when they received the news. They were excited to find the buck was only around the corner, though it was positioned on the other side of a river. To reach the animal, volunteers had to wade through water and mud to get close enough to administer a tranquilizer.
Once the deer was sedated, the rescue team addressed its physical needs. The animal had become dehydrated due to its inability to drink, so volunteers administered intravenous fluids. The deer was also tagged to warn hunters not to consume the meat for one month. This tagging requirement is mandated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources because of the medication used during the rescue procedure.
Following the treatment, LaBonty reported that the buck was back on its feet and running shortly after the procedure. Jessica Cross, who had first identified the animal, expressed relief upon learning the deer was safe. She admitted she had been worried about how long the animal could survive without access to food or water, but she was delighted by the successful outcome.
For LaBonty, the rescue ended days of anxiety. She described waking up at 3 a.m. each day, thinking about the deer and worrying about its condition. Now that the animal is free, the team is looking forward to future efforts to prevent similar incidents. The Detroit Animal Welfare Group is urging residents to take simple precautions after Halloween, such as removing handles from plastic pumpkins or bringing the containers inside once trick-or-treating is finished.
The organization is also seeking donations to purchase a tranquilizer gun with a longer range. This equipment would help volunteers reach animals in difficult terrain more safely. The group continues to monitor the area to ensure the rescued deer remains healthy and free from further entanglement.
