One or more deer attacked three people Tuesday morning, according to the Director of the Department of Public Safety, Todd Sigler, bringing the total number of deer attacks on campus to six.

In one case, the deer charged the victim, but did not make contact, Sigler said. However, in another attack Paula Davenport, the assistant director of Media & Communication Resources, and a student, Lane Proffitt, were both injured.

University spokeswoman Sue Davis said the attack occurred behind the Communications Building as two deer, a doe and a fawn, tried to cross Chautauqua St.

Davis said traffic had stopped and Davenport and Proffitt may have been trying to encourage the fawn to cross the street when the doe felt threatened and attacked.

Davenport was treated at Carbondale Memorial Hospital for a head injury and released, while Proffitt's bruises were treated at the health clinic and she was also released.

The Department of Public Safety is taking measures to ensure the attacks will not be repeated by posting signs in areas where deer have been sighted and roping off wooded paths, but Sigler said the best protection is common sense.

"Leave the deer alone, don't go try to pet the fawns," Sigler said.

Wildlife ecologist Clay Nielsen said the mother is attacking because does are most aggressive this time of year. The fawns are very young right now and very unsteady on their feet. As a result, the mother doe will aggressively defend her young until they are able to escape from danger, he said. "The deer and us are coming together on campus and the mother deer is doing what is natural," he said.

Nielsen said he expects the attacks to taper off during the next few weeks as the fawns become older and are able to follow their mother out of danger.

Until then, he advises students to steer clear of forested areas.

"Do not approach wild animals, no matter how cute and cuddly they are," he said.

Reporter Haley Murray can be reached at haley_murray@dailyegyptian.com