Reindeer recovered after escaping from Santa during lighting ceremony

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A reindeer that ran away from Santa during the annual lighting celebration in Dillon, Colo., on Thursday was found after leading members of the local police department on an overnight chase.

While Santa was inside the La Riva building visiting children, the renegade reindeer was able to jump the wall of its enclosure and make its escape.

Officers from the Dillon Police Department tracked the deer through the town and eventually located it on the other side of the Dillon Reservoir after it had apparently swum across.

The reindeer was brought back to the enclosure by Dillon Police Officer Bryan Wagner and Summit County Animal Control Officer JJ Swirka after they were able to enlist the help of a second reindeer to corral the one that had escaped.

According to a report about the incident: “The reindeer are now in preparation for the upcoming flight around the world on Christmas Eve. The reindeers made a promise to return next year to again add to the season’s festivities and delight of Children.”

[Krystal 93]