VIDEO: Buck with massive rack gores beloved pet dog in Colorado attack

A terrifying attack by a buck on a dog was recently captured on camera in Colorado, with wildlife officials urging pet owners to proceed with extra caution during deer rut season.

The clip, published by CBS Colorado, captures the moment a Castle Pines family’s four-year-old Bernese mountain dog got charged by a buck with a large rack. The deer charges the dog head first, flipping it over and pushing it across the yard with ease. It’s unclear what may have led up to the attack, though cervids can tend to view dogs as predators due to their similarities with wolves.

When owners reached the dog, it was bleeding due to being gored by the buck. The dog will likely survive thanks to its shield of fur and muscle, though a smaller or skinnier dog could have easily been killed in the attack. The wounds on the dog resulted in stitches.

Watch the clip below:

A Colorado Parks and Wildlife press release from December 6 informed the public that several deer attacks on dogs have taken place along the state’s Front Range area in recent weeks. Reports of residents feeding deer have also been received – an act that can encourage deer to move closer to civilization, as well as predators of deer, including mountain lions.

This time of the year can be particularly problematic for pet owners, as deer are in rut season. This means that male deer may aggressively defend their territory against humans and pets as they attempt to find mates. Male deer also tend to have large antlers during this point in the year, which can make attacks even more dangerous.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, deer should be given at least 100 feet of space and dogs should be kept on a leash. Check yards before letting dogs out and don’t allow dogs to roam free.