Buck Trapped in Livonia Pool Exposes Cover Risk
Homeowners with pools should inspect covers for damage, since a worn cover can let wildlife fall through into the water.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Wildlife
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Livonia firefighters rescued a buck that fell through a pool cover and became trapped in the shallow end of a backyard swimming pool. The homeowner called police and fire crews, and the deer climbed out with no apparent injuries and ran off into the neighborhood.
Why it matters
The pool had been drained about a year and a half earlier and was scheduled for demolition but still stood covered, showing how an unused pool with an aging cover can become a trap for wildlife. The Livonia Fire Department used the episode to remind homeowners to inspect pool covers for damage.
The pool is 10 feet deep and had been drained about a year and a half before the Tuesday morning rescue. The pool was still covered when the deer fell through the cover and became trapped in the shallow end.
The players
Livonia Fire Department
The municipal fire service serving Livonia, Michigan, which responded to the rescue and issued a reminder to homeowners to inspect pool covers.
Capt. Eskin
A Livonia fire officer with 31 years in the fire service who was involved in the rescue response.
The details
The deer walked across the pool cover and fell through it into the empty pool. Because the pool's slope made the climb difficult, the buck could not get out on its own. The homeowner pulled back the cover and found the animal in the shallow end, then called Livonia police and firefighters. Firefighters threw a ladder into the pool, and the deer used it to climb out and run off into the neighborhood.
Timeline
About 1.5 years before the incident: the pool was drained and scheduled for demolition.
Tuesday morning: the deer fell through the pool cover and became trapped.
The Home Front
Idle backyard pools that are drained but not yet removed can remain a hazard when their covers degrade over time. This Livonia case shows how a pool awaiting demolition can still pose risks to both animals and people if its cover is not maintained.
If you have a pool or an unused pool on your property, inspect the cover for tears, sagging, or loose fasteners and check that it is secured. Have any pool demolition or cover repairs handled by a licensed professional rather than attempting them yourself.
The takeaway
A drained pool with a worn cover can become a trap, so treat an unused pool as a hazard until it is filled, fenced, or removed. Schedule a licensed professional to inspect or demolish any pool you are no longer using.
Further reading
For more on animals turning up in unexpected places, see our Wildlife coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WXYZ 7 News Detroit.
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Do you regularly inspect your own pool cover for damage?
