SEBEC – It’s one thing for deer to have to contend with their natural predators in one of the severest winters they’ve encountered in many years.

Now they also have to contend with man’s best friend.

Several incidents in which household pets have threatened, injured or killed deer have been reported by wardens from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, according to Deborah Turcotte, interim spokeswoman for the department.

“Deer throughout the state are starving and are seeking food near roadways and in neighborhoods,” acting Col. Gregory Sanborn of the Maine Warden Service said Sunday. “Because they are so hungry, in many instances they are too weak to run or put up a fight. This is happening when they come into contact with dogs, and the deer are getting hurt.”

Warden Dan Carroll of Sebec said Sunday he had seen evidence this winter where dogs have killed deer. Coyote kills and dog kills are different, he said. Coyotes kill deer for food, while dogs often kill a deer and leave it untouched.

The snow conditions are such that dogs can walk on top of the crust, while the deer sink. Since does are carrying their fawns now, it makes it all the more stressful for deer, Carroll said. In all likelihood when a dog kills a doe, it also kills the fawn or fawns she is carrying, he said.

The dogs doing the damage aren’t necessarily vicious dogs, according to Carroll.

“I’ve seen old beagles walk down deer,” Carroll said. “I’ve seen some great house dogs who think it’s a great game to run down a deer.”

Even if a pet dog gives up its game of chase, the deer that was chased likely will be exhausted and may hyperventilate and later die, according to the warden. Others may be so exhausted during the chase that they run full speed into trees, resulting in death or serious injury, he said.

Pet owners who let their dogs out for a daily run face a minimum fine of $500 if the dogs are found chasing deer, according to Carroll. Once the dog chases a deer, the likelihood is great it will continue to play the game of chase each time it is released, he noted. Such a dog could kill deer every time it is released outdoors.

“It really affects the deer herd,” he said.

Sanborn said his department would summon people whose dogs are in violation of leash laws.