It never ceases to amaze me just how many idiots we have working in our government offices.
My favorite quote, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi , says a lot about THIS nation.
How sad that the Division of Wildlife in Ohio (my own state) would advocate the killing of an innocent, orphaned fawn.... but even sadder is the fact that they now want to prosecute the woman who saved its life and found sanctuary, in another state, where it can live a safe, normal life.
From The Petition Site:
An orphaned deer in Ohio was rescued by a compassionate woman about three weeks ago, who took it to her home in Kentucky. The fawn was crying continuously, so the woman started to bottle feed it. The local community decided to find a permanent home for the fawn and started e-mailing friends to find a suitable permanent home for it. Finally a rescue and rehabilitation farm for wild animals in Kentucky was identified and the fawn was sent to the farm.
This was where this charming story turns into an example of "no good deed goes unpunished."
The woman who rescued the deer was informed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife that the faun had to be returned to the wild (presumably so that it could die a natural death by starvation). After the division of Wildlife was not able to intimidate the woman into doing this, they then started threatening her with 60 days jail time and a fine unless the fawn was handed over to them so that they can euthanize it and do post-mortem tests for diseases on it.
They contend that she has broken the law by (1) removing the fawn from it's natural habitat instead of leaving nature to run it's course and (2) transported the deer over state borders.
I ask members to please petition the Ohio State govenor to stop this persecution of a good samaritan, and to rather use it's financial resources to test the baby deer while it is alive, and should it come back disease free to release it either to the farm where it is currently happy, or release it , after it has been weaned, into a sanctuary.
Your support is needed urgently!
6 comments:
I have a story just like this. The other day i took in a fawn that was left fenced in a high school football stadium. It was about 90 degrees out side & barely moving or breathing. It had been there for about 2 days with out its mother showing up so I had decided it would be better off with me. I searched online about how to raise a fawn, what to feed it, when, & how much, I researched all about getting a owners license for it & everything. over the past few day it had gained weight & was happy & healthy. Today a wild life ranger showed up & took it saying they will most likely have it put down & i wouldn't be able to keep it but i could always go buy one from a breeder that gets them shots & checked for diseases, but when I asked if I could just take it to a vet or something to have all that done he said it couldn't happen. I'd just like to know who else thinks this is right, for an innocent fawn to be put down just because it was born in the wild when it's legal to buy one at 3 days old if they are born in captivity. i understand that a mother dear will leave a fawn for hours & hours I've done my research but she was there for way to long to tell & wasn't doing well till the night i took her in. I followed all the things i read online & she was doing fantastic. She was lovable & sweet & it isn't like an animal that is usually born in the wild being born in captivity would end up being any more domestic than a baby animal taken from the wild and raised well. I've seen multiple stories on the news about deer in this state being abandons & found by people & raised as a pet perfectly fine with out wildlife rangers coming in & having them put down. As a person who was raised from birth to be a compassionate animal love with all animals i find it hard to understand why this is going on.
I'm only 16 & I'm not sure how to go about this as you did with the petition & all but if someone with more knowledge about this could help that would be great. contact me at lrayray7777@yahoo.com
This is insane!!! Someone needs to stop this law. What can we do??
Why would Oh law do this??? We need to be kind to our animals!
WHAT JO ANN HAS TO SAY:
Unfortunately, most state wildlife agencies prohibit individual citizens from taking in wildlife for whatever reason.
Now, I can understand some of this logic as it certainly wouldn't be wise to take in bear cubs, coyotes, or other predatory animals that could pose a danger to humans.
However, our laws are written in a "generalized" manner with very little specifics as to what might be dangerous verses those who are totally harmless.
To the authorities, an animal living in the wild is just that.
It doesn't matter if it's a fawn who lost it's Momma or any other animal that poses no threat to human life. To these agencies, it's wild and, under the law, there isn't much they can do except enforce it.
Does that make it right? ... NO. But, until enough people get involved, write their local legislators, the laws we have now will remain in force and the concerned, well meaning citizens will be in violation, end up being prosecuted and these harmless, abandoned or injured animals will continue to be euthanized.
There are also other factors to consider, as well.
Our legislators argue that they do not have the budget to hire more wildlife experts in the field of
rehabilitation. TAX MONEY REQUIRED.
A baby fawn is adorable and can easily be made into a pet. However, this cute little bundle of spotted fur is going to grow up to become a 100 pound animal.
Plus, if it's a male, you've got to consider the antlers as well.
An animal that size requires a special habitat if you intend to try and keep it as a pet.
Also, when mating season arrives, you're going to find yourself with an even bigger problem.
However, a wild animal who is basically raised in a human environment cannot be released back into the wild until it is fully rehabilitated from relying on that human contact and back to survival on it's own in the wild. And, this is where the problem occurs. Most wildlife agencies do not have budgets or the time involved to do that. (Neither do most average citizens).
They must weigh a lot of factors when making decisions about orphaned or injured wildlife.
First, they must obey the law.
Second, is it more humane to leave this animal on it's own or to euthanize?
Third, if they allow a private citizen to take charge of this animal, what is going to happen later on down the road when it becomes to large to shelter or handle.
Most compassionate people only feel with their heart and don't always think about the long term consequences. YES, THIS IS THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE TALKING, FOLKS.
Been there, done that lots of times, myself.
Do I have the right answers for this type of problem? NO.
Do I feel compassion for a little orphaned fawn ... YES.
However, once again, we have some very old, outdated legislation that still remain on the books today. To get these laws updated and provide more protection for our wildlife is going to require lots of hard work and a whole lot of money.
When you go up against county, city, state and federal government ... you better be prepared for the fight of your life and you need a well armed and funded army to win the battle. Especially when you're fighting an "Animal Rights" issue.
In situations like this, I guess each of us must follow our own hearts and good conscious ... but, always remember ... as it stands now, we do not have the law on our side.
Thanks for your continued support of My Pet Rescue Blog.
Jo Ann & "gang"
DNR often uses CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) as an excuse, in spite of most fawns coming from the same area. Doh! Secondly, the majority of individuals don't know how to properly care for wildlife...but in a state, county or city where you don't have wildlife rehabilitators....you're sunk, and so most folks muddle through. Third, DNR is afraid, if too many people 'rescue' fawns, they will then not want these animals killed during hunting season...so DNR feels threatened by the fact that people will err on the side of wildlife vs. management. And are afraid of losing their job or duty to 'protect' the environment.
DNR also claims that wildlife raised by humans are imprinted and not afraid of humans (in the case of raccoons, fox, coyote, deer). Most wildlife learn very quickly, that strange humans are not to be trusted. The same animals that would become a problem, would become one anyway, as they would become a pest at bird feeders, dog/cat bowls or horse buckets.
The fawn would be killed if returned to OH because wildlife isn't supposed to cross state lines (Chronic Wasting Disease issue). The fact that the woman lives in KY and no longer has the fawn...not sure OH has reciprocity. They may go after the sanctuary and force them to have the fawn euthanized. Individuals really need to become familiar with your state's game laws, even if you don't hunt. If you want a greater voice in how game is managed, buy a local hunting license. Those fees pay DNR's salary. AND talk to your representative.
Lastly, if you love wildlife, apprentice with local wildlife rehabilitators. It is a dying breed. Sanctuaries are desperate for individuals to do hands on assistance. They have something for everyone, from song birds, water fowl, raptors, RVS (fox, raccoon, mink, weasel, bear, coyote, bobcat, etc.), deer, turtle, snake, salamander...don't just talk about it - LEARN ABOUT IT and DO IT.
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