Officers with Colorado Parks and Wildlife are looking for a male deer that attacked and injured a 67-year-old woman outside her Custer County home on Saturday.

The incident occurred in Silver Cliff, about 55 miles west of Pueblo, as the woman was trying to leave her home, according to a CPW news release. A small buck mule deer, described as having two spikes on each antler, reportedly charged the woman and injured both her legs.

The victim was able to go back inside her home and call for help. She was taken to a Pueblo hospital for treatment of “a puncture wound to her left leg and significant bruising on the right leg,” the release stated.

Two young male deer were seen sparring in the yard after the attack, according to CPW Area Wildlife Manager Mike Brown.

“A wildlife officer went to investigate and found a bird feeder in the yard,” Brown said. “The victim told a CPW officer that she feeds birds and had thrown out bread earlier that day.”

The fact that the attack took place close to a house led CPW officers to believe someone in the area had been feeding deer, a practice the wildlife agency discourages.

“I believe this is a good example of what happens when deer lose their natural fear of humans,” Brown said. “They become aggressive and dangerous. This is a good reminder that wild animals should always be treated as such and that people need to give wildlife the space they need. We’re glad this woman wasn’t more seriously injured.” 

If found, the deer will be euthanized to prevent future attacks on humans, wildlife officials said.