Oh Deer!

A chaotic scene unfolded at Sobeys on Wentworth Rd late yesterday afternoon when unexpected guest dropped in.

A full-grown buck entered the store around 4 p.m., ramming its way though the plate-glass interior door, shattering it in the process. He scrambled around the cashier counter before exiting the building, says Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Alan Bland.

Bland, who was called to the scene, says reactions ranged from amazed to shocked to frightened. “It would have been intense in there, and potentially it could have caused some serious damage to people there. “

He estimates the male deer would weigh close to 170 pounds. “It was a big, strong animal with horns and sharp hooves. I’m surprised there was not more damage.”

Bland is not aware of any human injuries as a result of the incident, but the deer was not so fortunate. ”It was certainly injured. It hit that door pretty hard and there was blood around and I’m pretty sure his jaw was broken.”

After the deer left the store, it bounced off a couple of cars in the parking lot, causing some damage to vehicle.

Department of Natural Resources staff were unable to capture the animal, and it disappeared around the nearby Legion building.

When asked what would motivate the buck’s odd actions, Bland says the animal was obviously reacting to a threat of some kind. “It’s possible the deer had been struck by a vehicle; we don’t know, but it was definitely in a major panic when it reached the store.”

Although it the episode was unusual, Bland says such behaviour is not unheard of. “The moral here is that wild life can be unpredictable.”

Sobeys employees were unable to comment on the event.