Today, police in the Village of Beverly Hills in Oakland County said they fielded two separate reports of a deer getting aggressive with people in a neighborhood. Officers determined the animal was a doe and said they believe she was simply doing what mothers do: guarding a nearby fawn.
What police said
A brief video and story from CBS News Detroit on Tuesday shares the department’s account that officers were called twice about the same deer. The video shows the doe moving through residential yards, and police told the outlet they think she was defending her young.
Why a mother deer may act aggressively
Wildlife officials say this kind of behavior is common during fawning season. They often stash fawns in hidden spots while they forage and can turn aggressive if people or dogs wander too close. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources notes that most fawns are born in May and June and urges the public to give wild animals plenty of space. The agency advises contacting licensed rehabilitators only when an animal is clearly injured or the mother is dead; otherwise, the guidance is to leave the fawn alone.
Countywide context
The tense encounter fits into a broader countywide issue. Local leaders created the Oakland County Community Deer Coalition in 2021 to coordinate how communities respond to rising deer numbers, according to the Rochester Post. And in 2019, Oakland County led Michigan in vehicle-deer crashes, with 1,928 reported incidents, data from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning show, per ClickOnDetroit.
How residents can stay safe
Officials recommend giving any deer a wide berth, keeping pets leashed, and backing away slowly if a doe starts acting aggressively. They also warn against picking up or touching fawns, no matter how helpless they might look.
For non-urgent animal concerns, the Village of Beverly Hills Department of Public Safety lists its non-emergency line as 248-540-3400 on its official site. Call 911 if an animal poses an immediate threat to people or pets.
