A deer that fell through a swimming pool cover in Livonia found itself stuck with no way out, until firefighters showed up with an extension ladder and gave it a path to freedom. The animal climbed out on its own and ran off, apparently uninjured, closing out an unusual callout for local crews.
According to a report from the FOX 2 Detroit, the Livonia Fire Department responded to a deer that had fallen through a swimming pool cover. The pool was partially drained at the time, which meant the deer was not able to get enough footing to climb out on its own, leaving it trapped until help arrived.
Police were first to respond, then called the fire department for assistance, the report notes. Once firefighters arrived, they lowered an extension ladder into the pool, giving the deer a way to climb out. The animal rescued itself by using the ladder, climbing out and bolting off the property.
No Injuries Reported After the Ladder Rescue
Per the same account, the deer ran off apparently uninjured once it made it out of the water. The Livonia Fire Department also used the incident to praise the teamwork between Livonia police officers and firefighters, who coordinated the response before the animal escaped on its own.
The department used the episode as a reminder that pool covers are not always wildlife-proof, the outlet reports. Officials advised inground pool owners to inspect their covers and consider adding an approved wildlife escape ramp, noting that such ramps can help animals that find themselves in trouble in a pool.
Not the First Deer-in-a-Pool Call in Southeast Michigan
This is not the only time a Michigan pool has doubled as an unplanned deer enclosure. In October 2024, first responders in Farmington Hills rescued a deer from a swimming pool, according to Hometownlife. In that case, responders built a ramp out of plywood, and the deer climbed up before running off, the outlet reported.
A month later, Muskegon firefighters rescued a deer from a pool in November 2024, Hometownlife reported, citing MLive. The available evidence does not establish how often these rescues happen or whether they are becoming more common, but the pattern of ladders, ramps and startled deer stretches across more than one Michigan community.
