Deer Run Amok in South Jersey

A couple of deer caused quite a scene Sunday in Haddonfield, N.J.

The streets of the quiet south New Jersey community have turned into a popular rest stop for wild deer recently.

It is the fourth time in four months that deer have been spotted in downtown Haddonfield and nobody knows exactly why.

On Sunday, two deer dropped in to do some Sunday shopping and apartment hunting.

"One deer went to the Lincoln Commons looking for residential housing, but found out it was just for seniors," joked Chief Richard Tsonis, of the Haddonfield Police Department.

The other deer was apparently looking for free legal advice. Finding the door locked, the deer crashed through the plate glass window of the Freeman & Mintz law firm. Witnesses said the deer tore the place to shreds.

After 45 minutes, the deer jumped out, leaped over a fence and got stuck in the window well of an apartment complex.

Police and game officials hoofed it over to the complex as fast as they could. The animal was tranquilized and later released into the woods.

Shop owner David Tarantini said that several months ago, a hungry deer wandered into a local deli.

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"He went into the back door, dove into the salad bar, starting chowing down. It was full of people and they ran out the front of the store," Tarantini said.

Residents were fawning over the idea of deer in their midst, but Haddonfield's police chief says next time, he dearly hopes the four-legged visitors will abide by the law.

"We are not deer discriminators. Come during normal business hours and please, if you're going to shop, utilize caution, only go in stores that don't have 'No deer permitted' signs in the window," Tsonis said.

There is no word on what happened to the second deer.

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