In the center, ” A fawn in the grass ” Picture credit: forest wander
Two Covered Bridges in my home state of Indiana, the left in Parke County, the right in Brown County.
Could someone please explain this series of events to me?
I must be in an ignorant fog, because how on earth can this make any sense to anyone?
A baby deer taken in by a concerned family after it had apparently been abandoned, was turned over to a ” no-kill ” facility in Wisconsin, who were then forced by ” state laws ” to ” do their job. ”
It took 13 very ” official ” and armed people to end its tiny, young life, it would have only taken one to save it, Wisconsin’s Governor.
There’s that word again euthanized, they just can’t say the word, murdered, can they?
I was raised in Indiana, where these gorgeous creatures run wild nearly everywhere, well at least they did all of the summers spent on my Uncle’s farm in Southern Indiana, near what is known as Brown County.
Last summer when we were up for the Annual Family Reunion, we drove down to the old farm area and traveled around the back roads, admiring the Covered Bridges near Bean Blossom.
All of this brought back wonderful memories of my Uncles farm, so the day had a special meaning.
As we approached the Bean Blossom Covered Bridge, for no apparent reason, just as we turned a corner on a dusty road, two quite young deer appeared from out of nowhere and just stood at the side of the road, gazing quietly at us.
They showed absolutely no fear, just munching and watching, as we drove VERY slowly past them.
Did I hold my breath, you bet!
There is no greater treasure in my world, than being among the wild things, where ever they happen to cross my path.
This day was a treasured memory.
It has occurred to me many times, that my love of deer may be just a wee bit excessive, as seeing them dead on the road, nearly kills me every single time.
So, you can understand how this story resonates very deeply with me.
As the species with the so-called larger brains, perhaps we might wish to consider trading them in for more compassionate hearts because we don’t seem to have a very good track record with the creatures with the so-called smaller ones.
This bill, or law in Wisconsin, like so many others concerning animals, may have originally had good intentions, but it’s the implementing of it, that may need a bit of tweaking.
You may read about this law and the fawn here, BTW, the many angry comments below the story, only demonstrate just how very frustrated the world has become with “Officials” just “doing their jobs” with animals.
Wisconsin DNR Secretary Says Fawn Had To Be Euthanized
Walking with the Alligators 
This is a bit of a tragedy. I’ve lived in states like Ohio and Washington where the deer population is high. Those who “know” about these things think they’re striking some sort of balance by “thinning” the “herds.” I also lived in Alaska where that thinning was in a vigilante vein…with every nut-job taking out wolves to “preserve” food animals, such as moose and cariboou. I’m a bit naive, but it seems all these animals sort of kept themselves in balance, when they were in balance. Guess I’ll never be one of those who “knows” what’s best.
Later….
How on earth did they ever manage before we came along to do it for them?
Thank you for your thoughts, we are in complete agreement~
Oh, I am so sorry for you loss. This is terrible and so unbelievable the things we do to animals. Yes, there is a devil on earth and it is called MAN.
You are so kind. Thank you for your sweet concern.
She was not mine, actually she was in another state and had been cared for by a family there.
But, in truth, they all belong to each of us.
😦 “Yes, there is a devil on earth and it is called MAN.” I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you for your concern and caring.
I am so sorry this happened. I do not think it is right…deer populations are managed when we have a predator species in a healthy number, not depleted numbers like now. There is something else that is of major concern to me in this article link…
>>>Last week, a fawn named Giggles was euthanize-d by state wardens after it was brought to a shelter by a family who believed the fawn had been abandoned by its mother.<<<
I LOVE animals, and LOVE the woods and watching. They never go into details about the family who "believed the fawn had been abandoned by its mother". I wish they had filled in more of the story. Most people, without studying/living with wildlife for a long period of time, make judgement calls that are NOT in line with the deeper nature of the animals. We do not know what started this whole cascade of events, and people often like to save young deer because they believe they have been abandoned. This is a different case then finding a definitely injured fawn who needed help. Deer moms rarely abandon, but will leave their babes alone for long periods of time while they forage. They will hesitate to come back for the babe if people are around, or if their young one smells of humans…they'll wait it out for awhile to make sure its safe to reclaim the baby. They're also teaching their offspring that when they have children, they must be wary of showing themselves in front of humans (deer on protected preserves or who always have good, steady experience with humans ARE less afraid of us). Of course, it is always possible Mama got hurt somewhere, but many people make the mistake of assuming a deer is abandoned when it is not. That assumption often rips apart deer families.
Animal shelters are generally not equipped to handle wild animals for long, and the whole thing really is tragic. 😦 Without further knowledge, I really believe that the family would have been doing the right thing to not interfere with the fawn at all. Also, it would be helpful for people who really have a wild animal on their hands they can't take care of, to find a Nature Conservancy Center, Audubon Society, a wildlife sanctuary, even last case, a zoo, to ask what to do, where to go next.
Animal Shelters really mainly do domesticated pets, and many often can't handle guinea pigs and the like. Unless privately funded by an organization, they just aren't the first place I would call! This situation is truly tragic all around, and I wish people would realize we are only as healthy as our environment, how we treat the wild is how we treat ourselves. too.
Here is some further info about deer rescue:
http://www.nativeanimalrescue.org/understanding-deer/
http://wildliferehabinfo.org/Found_WL-DeerFawns.htm
http://www.carolinawildlife.org/fawns.htm
http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/news/42-utah-wildlife-news/308-what-to-do-if-you-find-a-deer-fawn.html
Here's something for Indiana…might take a bit more of a search to find for Wisconsin. Oh, here we go…
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5492.htm
The whole story is very sad. Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention!!!
Summer
Dear Summer:
What a beautiful, compassionate, thoughtful comment.
No one could have explained all of this better.
You are correct on every point, sadly.
Thank you so much, your words may offer consolation to those who find the whole situation unbearable.
Thats Really Sad, Thankyou for Sharing
Thank you for your kindness. Yes, it is very sad.
We Humans are the Only species on this Planet Who will kill needlessly
Agree with you completely.
Sad and senseless.
Your thinking is exactly why I posted this tragedy.
Laws need to be changed, when this is normal procedure anywhere!
I was following this story closely…. And had no idea it ended this horrific way. Why. Why. Why.
This situation is ugly and unacceptable.
A law that demands this must be revoked, removed, rescinded, what ever it takes to end this.
Educating the public about the consequences of their actions involving wild life, would also help.
When you take an animal out of the wild and into your life, do you think ahead to how it will all end?
So very true…. Rescue / Rehab groups are always trying to educate on this topic, but if people don’t want to learn…. The innocents suffer. End of story.