Two large dogs attacked and injured a deer Sunday in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, forcing wildlife officers to destroy the animal.
And four other deer were killed in collisions with vehicles; three west of Capitol Hill and one on Foothill Boulevard."It's sad to say, but it's almost becoming routine," said Police Lt. Scott Folsom. "We've encroached on their winter habitat, and they have no place else to go. Hundreds of them have been coming into the city."
Paul Byron, cemetery maintenance supervisor, said large numbers of deer have wandered into the cemetery almost daily since the onset of the harsh winter weather.
"They are coming down to find something to eat," Byron said. "We just leave them alone."
On Sunday, two dogs described as hybrid malamutes chased one of the foraging herds through the cemetery, catching at least one of the animals. Division of Wildlife Resources officers shot the injured deer at the scene. Investigators said the dogs may have injured some of the other deer as well.
The dogs were captured and turned over to animal control officers. Byron said the dogs had collars, but no identifying tags. If their owners are found, they may be cited for allowing their pets to run loose, Folsom said.