Mule Deer Attacks Woman

BOISE -- Wildlife managers say a mule deer injured a woman near her rural Idaho home and the man who came to her rescue in an unusual, though not rare attack.  

They say Sue Panter tried to play dead, hoping it would discourage the deer. The state Department of Fish and Game says Michael Vaughan and his daughter spotted her struggling with the buck on the road Friday and tried to stop the attack by punching the buck and grabbing it by the antlers.  

Authorities say Panter and Vaughan suffered puncture wounds, scratches and bruises, and that Vaughan was gored in the legs.  

Officials say it's unclear why the animal attacked. They say such confrontations are unusual but that the behavior is typical of deer kept as pets.