Deer Rescued From Coachella Canal

A doe who fell into 12 feet of water in a canal in Coachella today was rescued by a fisherman and animal control officers.

The trapped deer was reported around 9 a.m. at the All American Canal near 44th Avenue and Dillon Road, said John Welsh of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

An animal services officer and a state Department of Fish and Game warden tried to lasso the deer with ropes, Welsh said.

The deer was finally rescued just before noon when Robert Nieto, a local fisherman, managed to rope the deer and animal control officers helped him pull the animal to safety.

“This is a very popular fishing area and it was area fishermen who first spotted the deer,” said Animal Services Officer Hector Palafox. “They were likely enjoying a day of fishing when they first spotted the big ears.”

Welsh said the female mule deer was probably trying to get some water to cool down from the triple-digit heat when she fell into the canal.

After being rescued, the doe was put inside an animal control truck to relax and cool down before being released back into the wild off of Berdoo Canyon Road.