A startled doe crashed through the front glass of a downtown Morganton restaurant early today, turning a quiet morning into an impromptu rodeo before officers guided her back outside. Staff and early customers hustled out of the way while three Morganton Public Safety officers contained the animal and opened an exit. When she finally bolted out, the deer had only minor abrasions, and officers reported no injuries.
According to The Charlotte Observer, the call came in at about 6 a.m. as an "animal complaint." Morganton Public Safety later posted on Facebook that "this morning, (officers) assisted an unexpected customer who made its way into a local eatery by crashing through the front glass door," adding that "after a little wrestling match and plenty of teamwork, officers safely guided the deer out the back door." The Observer included a screengrab of the department’s post.
How officers removed the deer
In the Morganton Public Safety post, one officer appears to pin the doe to the kitchen floor while colleagues secure the exits. Three officers ultimately responded and escorted the animal out a back door and into nearby woods, the department said. Officials described the deer’s injuries as minor.
When to call officials about wildlife
The Centers for Disease Control advises leaving injured or sick wildlife alone and contacting your state wildlife agency or a licensed rehabilitator rather than trying to move animals yourself, according to the CDC. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service similarly recommends contacting trained professionals when wildlife presents a safety concern. These experts note that repeated human contact can make wild animals lose their fear of people, increasing risks to both animals and people.
Morganton is about a 75‑mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte, a detail included in local coverage of the incident, and the department closed its Facebook post with a wry line: "One thing is for sure, this young lady doesn’t skip cardio day." For more, see The Charlotte Observer.
