Young Deer Unable to Drink for 10 Days After Snout Gets Stuck in Halloween Pumpkin Bucket... Rescuers Cross River Four Times

Rescuers crossed a river in subzero temperatures during the pursuit
Deer returned to the wild after treatment for dehydration

A young deer in the United States that had been unable to eat properly for 10 days after getting its snout stuck in a plastic Halloween pumpkin container was safely rescued after a determined search by rescuers. They saved the deer after crossing a cold river four times in a grueling effort.

Yonhap News TV reported on the 11th, citing local media outlets including the New York Post and FOX 2 Detroit, that the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), a nonprofit animal rescue organization in Michigan, rescued a young male deer the previous day at Hines Park in Westland, Wayne County.

A plastic pumpkin decoration bucket is stuck on a deer's muzzle. South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery

The deer had been spotted by residents wandering around after Halloween with an orange plastic pumpkin container stuck on its snout. The pumpkin-shaped container, used to hold candy, covered its nose and mouth, making it difficult to eat or drink. The deer was first seen in Livonia, Michigan. It then wandered through several areas, evading rescuers, while residents helped with the search by sharing sightings and photos on social media.

Local police and animal control officers also searched for the deer, but were unable to find it. The rescue group continued tracking it for 10 days, even deploying a drone equipped with a thermal camera. A crucial tip came in on the evening of November 8. Just as the rescuers were about to call off the search at sunset, they received word that the deer had been spotted at Hines Park.

After locating the deer in the park, which spans about 2,300 acres (about 9.3 million square meters), the rescuers set off in pursuit through dense woods, muddy hills, fallen trees and brush. They had to cross a river about 6 meters wide four times. The water was reportedly deep enough to reach their thighs, and its temperature was very low. The rescue group said, "We crossed the cold river not once, not twice, but four times," adding, "After climbing steep, muddy banks and hills and making our way through fallen trees and brush, we managed to safely sedate the deer."

Once they had the deer in their care, the rescuers removed the plastic pumpkin container stuck on its snout. The deer was a young male whose antlers had just begun to grow. It showed moderate signs of dehydration and was given intravenous fluids. The rescuers attached a tag to its ear indicating that it had been given a sedative. The measure is intended to prevent harm to people from drug residues if the deer is later hunted and used for food.

After the rescuers administered a drug to reverse the anesthetic, the deer got back up and returned to the woods. According to the rescue group, the deer paused briefly before leaving to groom itself and look back at the rescuers. The group wrote on social media, "Mission accomplished," adding, "We have tears of joy. We're cold and wet, and even smell like a swamp, but now we think we'll finally be able to sleep peacefully."

This incident has also drawn attention to the risks Halloween decorations may pose to wildlife. South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery

The incident has also drawn attention to the risks Halloween decorations may pose to wildlife. Forestry England, the UK's forest management agency, urged people in guidance published in October 2025 not to leave pumpkins in the woods after Halloween. It explained that while some wild animals may eat pumpkins, they are not suitable food for all animals, and feeding wildlife can lead to health problems or the spread of disease.

Pumpkins decorated with candles, paint or glitter pose a particular risk because animals could swallow the decorative materials as well. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has also cautioned that pumpkin decorations left outside homes may attract wildlife such as deer and squirrels. It advises people to keep painted pumpkins indoors, as the paint may be harmful if eaten by animals. It also recommends not leaving used Halloween decorations outdoors, removing decorative materials, and following local collection and disposal guidelines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.