Shelter Stories

Deer Released
Publix Deer Released Unharmed at Brooker Creek Reserve

At about 1pm on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, Suncoast Animal League received a call that a deer was walking around the parking lot of the Publix/Target shopping center in the East Lake area. Fifteen minutes later, when Executive Director Rick Chaboudy and vet tech Erica Heinz arrived, the young deer had made his way into the Publix, causing quite a ruckus.

According to shoppers, the buck ran down the main aisle and straight into - of all things - a pet supply display. After then running into a couple of customers, he lost his footing and fell on the tile floor. That's when quick thinking Publix employees were able to subdue him by covering his eyes with an apron, while Sheriff Deputies taped his legs. Once calm, they carried the deer outside and placed him in the Suncoast Animal League van.

The approximate year-and-a-half-old spike buck was then taken to a secluded area in Brooker Creek, where Chaboudy carried him to an area where he could be safely released. Once the tape was removed, the young deer stood up, took a quick glance around and off he went, never looking back. The flipping of his white tail as he ran away was perhaps his way of saying "thank you and goodbye." At least that's what we'd like to think.

Photo Gallery

---

Back to Shelter Stories »