A large deer has been shot dead after menacing students and prompting the lock-down of two Melbourne schools.
The deer butted two students at Mullum Primary School, in Ringwood, during Tuesday's morning recess and before the school yard could be cleared.
"It had one antler but to be quite honest we were focused more on getting the kids and staff into lock down," Mullum Primary School principal Carolyn Macaulay told AAP.
"It was big - definitely wasn't bambi that's for sure."
The two students were checked by paramedics and treated for shock before being taken home by their parents.
Mrs Macaulay said it was first case she knew of a deer in the school.
"We've had a fox apparently wander the corridors a long time ago but no deer."
The animal then ran into the grounds of neighbouring Norwood Secondary College, which also went into lockdown.
The deer was cornered by police and a registered game animal shooter, who euthanised it.
"This was witnessed by a small number of our students, who have been spoken to and offered support," said college principal Andrew Sloane in a statement.
"This support will available for as long as is needed."
The deer was first reported in a Ringwood backyard about 8am though it took police several hours to track down.
There was a plan to tranquilise the animal but there was a risk the deer would escape and run into traffic.
"There was no other choice but to dispatch the animal on the school grounds," Luke McDonald, acting sergeant at Ringwood police station, told AAP.
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