Deer carcass could spell trouble

Mike Swanson

A partially eaten deer found at Top of the World Elementary School

last week had school officials warning teachers and children to keep

an eye out for mountain lions.

The deer, first reported Sept. 22 but not found by Animal Services

officers until Sept. 23, had been dead for days, Animal Services

Officer Dave Pietarila said. Pietarila assumed municipal services had

already picked up the buck deer when he couldn’t find it Sept. 22,

but it turned up at the rear of the campus Sept. 23, leaning against

the gate.

“Every carrion eater west of the Mississippi had had a bite of it

by the time I saw it,” Pietarila said. “It had insect activity,

maggots, and its rear was pretty thoroughly eaten.”

The deer had no broken limbs, bite marks on its neck or claw marks

raked across its back -- all typical signs of a mountain lion attack.

Pietarila wouldn’t rule out the possibility, however, that the deer

could have been attacked by a mountain lion.

“It’s as possible as everything else,” Pietarila said.

Animal Services officers always assume there’s a mountain lion

around so they’ll be ready for one when picking up dead or injured

deer. Pietarila said this isn’t the first time he’s seen one turn up

at one of the schools.

“We live in a wildlife area,” Pietarila said. “We’ve seen a number

of bobcats this year, and we have coyotes galore. It’s something

people at the schools should always be aware of, because they’re in

wilderness areas.”

School officials are continuing to encourage students and teachers

to be aware of their surroundings.

“Our highest priority is keeping our schools safe for the kids and

providing as few worries as possible so they can learn and have fun,”

Assistant Supt. Steven Keller said.