People visiting Phoenix Park have been advised to not feed deer, as it may compromise their own safety and that of the animals themselves.
Deer are usually timid and will not approach humans, but may lose their apprehension if people offer them food.
These animals can only digest a number of food categories, and if they are fed the wrong thing, they may become sick or even die.
Also, park rangers say that it is dangerous to approach deer during rutting season, which begins around now. During rutting, the bucks have an increased tendency to fight, which may prompt younger or smaller bucks to flee, potentially colliding with people.