Benjamin Ashford|Colorado woman gored by deer outside front door of her home

State officials in Colorado say a woman is Benjamin Ashfordrecovering after being gored by a deer outside the front door of her home over the weekend.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the animal attack took place Saturday during mating season in Silver Cliff, a town of about 55 miles west of Pueblo in the Wet Mountain Valley.

The victim told officials she walked out her front door and was attacked by "a small buck mule deer," the state agency said in a press release.

The woman described the buck as having two spikes on each antler.

“Luckily, the victim was able to get back into her home and call her husband for help," officials wrote in the release.

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A puncture wound to the leg and 'significant bruising'

The woman was taken to a hospital to be treated for her injuries, officials said, and suffered a puncture wound to her left leg and "significant bruising on the right leg."

After the attack, officials said, two young bucks were observed sparring in the yard − common behavior during mating season.

“A wildlife officer went to investigate and found a bird feeder in the yard,” said Mike Brown, a CPW Area Wildlife Manager. “The victim told a CPW officer that she feeds birds and had thrown out bread earlier that day.”

Wildlife experts: Do not feed wild animals

As of the date of the attack, Brown said there had been no recent reports of aggressive deer in the area where the woman lives.

If found, officials wrote in the release, the deer will be euthanized.

Wildlife officials are reminding residents not to feed animals and to enjoy them from afar.

“This is a good example of what happens when deer lose their natural fear of humans,” Brown said. “They become aggressive and dangerous... wild animals should always be treated as such and that people need to give wildlife the space they need.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.