Buck Saved After Falling Into 12-Foot-Deep Well In North Jersey

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — Throwing a coin in a well may make a wish come true, but a buck in a well prompts a police response, it seems.

On Friday, police and animal experts were called to an abandoned well in Hopatcong after learning that a deer had fallen into it.

Officials say the buck fell roughly 12 feet into a dried-up well.

Hopatcong police, firefighters, and members of NJ Fish and Wildlife responded to the scene and lifted the animal out of the well.

Officials said the teams' "expertise, quick response, and teamwork made it possible for the deer to be safely removed from the well and returned safely to the wild."

"This incident also serves as an important reminder for all property owners to inspect and maintain their property," a Hoptacong police statement read. "Open wells, uncovered holes, abandoned structures, and other hazards can pose a serious danger to both wildlife and people. Taking the time to properly secure or repair these hazards can help prevent future incidents and keep everyone safe."