Deer with arrow in head eludes rescue in New Jersey

For days, a New Jersey deer with an arrow through its head has eluded attempts to capture and aid it.

The animal was noticed Friday by Susan Darrah, outside her home in rural Rockaway Township, Morris County. She managed to get a photograph and post it on Facebook.

"Want to know what sucks? THIS!!" she wrote. "Tried to capture him to no avail ... he can eat, run and there's no blood, less chance of infection. I just feel so bad for him."

No, it's not a prank, created with PhotoShop.

The animal was also seen by township animal-control officer Daniel McDonald on Friday, but it quickly ran away.

If caught, it would be turned over to an animal rehab center, but no reports have come in for two days, said Peter Tabbot, who runs the health department, which oversees animal control.

"It's one of the more unfortunate and certainly unusual reports we have received," Tabbot said.

The deer could have been shot legally, since permit bow season began Oct. 26, according to the Division of Fish & Wildlife website.

The yearling didn't appear to be suffering greatly, Darrah told New York's CBS 2. "He kept up with the members of his herd and frolicked off," she said.

"We're going to get him and we're going to save him." she vowed.

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.