what would be killing the deer?

Question

we found a dead deer in the bottom of son's yard, in the tall grass. We have sightings of cougars at times and now coyote;s.but they don't touch the chickens.. what would be doing this and why not the chickens too.

Answer 1

Well you didn't give us much information.

Was the deers throat torn out, as a cougar would do? Or had it been hamstringed, as a pack of coyotes would do? Or was it completely unmarked, except for the fact that it was dead?

I vote for a human cause. If it was wild animals that made the kill, you would have been in no doubt of the cause.

Maybe someone has set out a poisoned salt lick, because the deer are eating all of their plants? It IS that time of year! I'd call the parks people and see what they recommend doing with the carcass. They may want to autopsy it to find out the cause of death.

Answer 2

It is one rare dog who can chase, catch, bring down, and kill a deer of any size. It is even more incredulous that it is a staffie type dog who has done so, as they generally wold have not enough prey drive, speed, agility, size or desire to do what you have described. Are you totally sure this dog did not 'catch' and already injured, or even dead, deer? Hunting with dogs IS illegal in Britain, but I know many lurcher men who would still pay a fortune for a dog with the [dubious] 'skills' you describe. The aspect of this dog running wild is a totally separate issue, which should DEFINITELY be reported to the police, dog warden, council, neighbourhood watch and any other community groups in the area. - and I would say this whether the dog has fought other dogs or not. It is dangerous to itself and others, and MUST be taken under control - if the owner isn't willing to act, then you should keep on at the authorities until one of them do.

Answer 3

If it was an adult deer with no signs of damage caused by predators, it most likely received internal injuries from being hit by a car and was still able to travel to the yard before dying. Mortality from a wound caused by a hunter might be an explanation during a hunting season, but not in the spring or summer. A cougar would have fed on the deer and then scraped vegetation over at least parts of it. Coyotes don't normally kill adult deer except in winter when they are "yarded" in deep snow. Predation by dogs would have resulted in major tearing injuries of the back legs and throat. Few deer die of diseases except in parks closed to hunting - deer dying from Chronic Wasting Disease (related to Mad Cow Disease, but not demonstrated to infect humans) are extremely emaciated. Having been hit by a car is the most likely cause of death.

Answer 4

I would need more information as to the remains' condition. Like, was it eaten upon? If so, it could very well be a coyote. Deer are their very favorite diet and is why they would prefer that over the chickens.
Of course, it is possible it may have been a dog. I've seen many times where a dog will chase down a deer, kill it and leave. It's deep in every dog's natural instinct to chase.
The only other option would be of natural causes.

Answer 5

In addition to the things the first person mentioned, deer can also die from a wasting disease similar to Mad Cow Disease. You should alert animal control or US Fish & Wildlife. Maybe they can do an autopsy.

Answer 6

was there blood??? if not it could have that blue tounge disease..either way i would call the game wardon

Answer 7

Its a Mystery..... Have the proper authorities examine it.............