Would-Be Prowler Turns Out To Be Deer Chased Into Bergen Co. Home

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Reports of a home break-in aren’t anything new for local police departments. But what officers from the River Vale police department found when they arrived at a local residence Wednesday morning made this complaint unique.

A call placed to the River Dale police department at 10:30 a.m. came in as a possible burglary in progress. But instead, officers soon learned that what was once thought to be a prowler was a deer that had been chased by a dog, causing the deer to crash through a window in the home, a spokesman for the River Vale police department said.

Sgt. Chris Bulger said that at some point in the overnight hours, a deer was chased by a dog, which forced the deer to crash into — and then through the window. The deer did not survive the crash and died, Bulger said.

The dog appears to be fine, Bulger said, and the deer showed no signs of injury from the dog. The dog owner and homeowner have been in contact, police said, and will handle the matter between them for the damage.

Animal control responded and removed the deceased deer from the home, the spokesman confirmed.