A spotted deer that fell into a farm well near Palani was rescued by Fire and Rescue Service personnel with the help of Forest Department officials on Saturday.
According to Forest Department officials, the four-year-old deer had strayed from the Andipatti-Kolumankondan forest area in search of water.
A group of five stray dogs had chased the deer at Velayudhampalayam Pudur village near Palani at around 3 a.m. on Saturday.
The deer slipped into the well while trying to escape from the dogs. The villages rushed to the farm where the well was located on hearing the dogs bark at around 3.30 a.m.
On seeing the deer, they alerted officials of the Forest Department.
A team of 20 Fire and Rescue Services personnel, assisted by Forest Department officials, started the rescue operation at 7 a.m. At around 9 a.m., the deer was rescued alive.
It was fed and a team of veterinary doctors treated the animal before freeing it into the Ponthupuli forest area, nearly four kilometres from the village, at around 11 a.m., officials said.
