A deer went wild in a store and ruined hundreds of dresses


A Staten Island dress shop had an unexpected, messy customer this week: a wild deer.

Margaret Cavuoto, owner of In Phase Fashions, is cleaning up after a frantic deer went on a rampage through the store. As local news reports, Cavuoto had propped open the front door on Monday afternoon to let fresh air into the store. Instead, the unexpected guest — who the staff at first thought was a large dog — ran through the door and spent an hour tearing apart the floor displays. Authorities believe the deer may have been hit by a car in the area.

“It really looked like a horror movie with blood streaks down the mirrors,” said Cavuoto. Staff locked themselves in a back office to hide from the animal. Meanwhile, customers sought refuge behind the racks of clothes. When that hiding spot didn’t seem safe, they eventually moved to a closet. “The deer was just traveling back and forth throughout the store, knocking into things,” Cavuoto explained.

While the Northeast has always played host to herds of wild deer, Staten Island’s deer problem has reportedly taken off in recent years. This is Cavuoto’s first wildlife encounter, but the population has gotten so overwhelming that authorities have begun to give the deer vasectomies. In Phase Fashions’ visitor, sadly, was tranquilized in the store and eventually put to sleep.

While the staff is still tallying the final cost of the encounter, Cavuoto estimates that about 150 dresses have been stained and ruined with deer blood. Staten Island dry cleaners, we have a new challenge for you. And Staten Island shoppers, there may be some Halloween costume-worthy dresses on sale nearby very soon.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.