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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFamily gets to keep rescued deer
This story is actually BREAKING NEWS on our local CBS affiliate.
A local family rescued a newly born fawn, after it's mother was killed by a car. They have hand raised the deer until the DNR found out and said they had to give her up.
Today it was decided the family can keep the deer, even though keeping a 'wild animal' as a pet is against the law. I don't know where, after all this time, they thought they could place her, so I'm thinking this was a good decision, even though they may now have set a precedent.
The story 'The Yearling' keeps going through my head. Hopefully this will have a much more positive outcome, for the deer. Anway, it's a beautiful animal and I'd find it hard to give her up, too.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/06/attorney_says_lilly_genesee_co_1.html#incart_river_default
Recursion
(56,582 posts)But, hey, if they're happy, more power to them.
N.I.B.
(56 posts)Love stories like this. Thanks for posting Siwsan.
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)My thought is that it would be better off in a reserve of some sort, but I hope the story has a happy ending.
Siwsan
(26,315 posts)I've seen video of it in their house, like a very big house cat, curled up on the couch. Probably the only chance of turning it over was right after it was rescued. And, I admit, giving up a beautiful little fawn would be VERY difficult. They are heartbreakingly beautiful..
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)I just kind of worry about how keeping a wild animal will work out in the long run. Like I said, though, I really hope this works out well for deer and family.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)RebelOne
(30,947 posts)They become quite aggressive during the rut.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)11 Bravo
(23,928 posts)re-read it on numerous occasions and still find it captivating.
Siwsan
(26,315 posts)I think I watch it, every time it comes on. Also always enjoyed 'Cross Creek' - the story of how Marjorie Kinnon Rawlings came up with the idea for 'The Yearling'.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)Not a good choice as a pet.
Siwsan
(26,315 posts)I do wonder how long they will actually be able to responsibly keep her.
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)Daemonaquila
(1,712 posts)Hell, I've had to rescue several deer, including one trapped between 2 fences. A pissed off deer is not to be trifled with, but they're hardly OMG hazardous.
The number of deaths caused by "pet" deer are trivial. Turning your back on an antlered or horned animal, whether a deer or a bull, is not smart. Most of the deer attacks in the news are not pets, but deer that had been kept as pets and imprinted on humans, then released when they got "too old." Then, someone gets into a situation with that deer out in the wild and instead of running away like a normal deer they attack. By and large an imprint has no fear of humans, and lacks other natural behaviors.
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)Not meant to be a pet. People who keep wild animals as pets can rationalize almost anything. My unapologetic opinion on this is that the deer should have gone to a wild life rehab and if possible be released someday.