Lake Oswego firefighters rescue baby deer trapped at construction site

The Lake Oswego Fire Department rescued a baby deer that had separated from its mother and fell more than 10 feet into a window well at a home under construction on Lund Street at around 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27.

The deer, battalion chief Scott Vachter said, fell from the ground-level floor to the basement about 12-to-14 feet. Construction workers noticed the stuck deer when they arrived for work and contacted the Lake Oswego Police Department, which then asked the fire department to rescue the deer.

Vachter said reaching the deer from the basement and into the window well wasn’t particularly challenging, but that working to secure a scared animal was a bit tricky.

The firefighters tried a few strategies for securing the deer, including throwing a blanket over it, but ultimately firefighter Steven Kha picked it up and handed it to firefighter Candace Grimes.

“It felt great. I have never held a baby deer in my arms but it was a very cool opportunity to do that. My kids wouldn’t believe me so it is very cool we have video proof,” said Grimes, who was referring to a video of the rescue the department posted on X.

The firefighters brought the deer up the stairs, through the home and out the door before releasing it. They assessed the deer for injuries but didn’t see any, and the deer ran away unencumbered.

“It was a unique opportunity to serve our community in this building when our main priority was safety and safety of the deer. We don't train on (animal rescue) often but it’s something the department was able to adapt to. We were able to secure the deer and get it out of the building without damage to property,” Grimes said.