Not-So-Wild Guess on Why Deer Ran Through Home

* The Los Angeles Times reported the story of a deer that inexplicably ran through a Laguna Beach home, demolishing two plate-glass windows en route, then swam (1.5) miles toward Catalina before rescuers could lure him back to shore (“Stag’s Splashy Exit Leaves Laguna Talking,” Sept. 18). Unfortunately, the experience was too much for the hapless buck.

Not being an animal specialist, but relying on 17 years as a licensed therapist, I believe I have solved the mystery. “Buck” began life as a well-adjusted male, enjoying our open spaces and county parks, with grassy expanses and freedom from preying hunters. Then came the Laguna fire, destroying much of his habitat. Food was hard to come by. He may have lost loved ones. Eventually he developed post-traumatic stress syndrome. The summer drought further depleted food and shelter. Already living close to the deer poverty level, poor “Buck” felt helpless.

The final stressor occurred when the earthmovers rolled in to slash a freeway through his dwindling land. It pushed him over the edge. Surmising that the world was coming to an end, he panicked, suffering the delusion that the Laguna Beach home would provide a safe haven. Almost immediately he was overcome with hallucinations of grassy fields in the Pacific Ocean. Clinically speaking, poor “Buck” suffered a brief psychotic episode.

As we solve our transportation problems by building highways through our county parks and open spaces, many similar tragedies are inevitable. When considering possible solutions, it occurs to me that much human suffering from high density living has been treated with medication. Perhaps we could put out salt licks laced with Prozac. Just a thought from one who loves our local wildlife.

KAREN L. WATSON

Newport Beach