Woman takes baby deer to police, here's why
File photo
Digital Reporter
Monday, May 30, 2016, 4:37 PM - When an animal is in distress, the best thing to do is keep a safe distance and call a wildlife official for help. That's the advice animal experts have been giving out for years, but it seems that some people aren't getting the memo.
Earlier this month, for example, officials at Yellowstone National Park had to euthanize a baby bison after a pair of Canadian tourists put the animal in their car and brought it to a park ranger, fearing it was cold.
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Officials tried numerous times to re-integrate the kidnapped bison back into the pack, but it was rejected by the herd.
Now, a woman in Eastlake, Ohio is under the spotlight for bringing a baby deer to a local police department Wednesday because she thought it had been abandoned.
"This was a first for us, we've had dogs, cats, even ducks then the door opened and in walks a deer," Eastlake Police Department said in a Facebook post.
"An unidentified female carried a small deer walked into our police lobby. She believed that the deer was abandoned by its mother so she brought it to us for assistance. After several calls to Department of Natural Resources and Lake Metroparks she was advised to return the deer to the location it was found."
Police were told the deer will likely be raised by other adult deer if the mother does not return.
"We would advise all residents if any wild animal is located and you have any questions please call us from that location or stop into the station to get advice. Do not pick up or try to care for or remove wild animals from their location."
The statement by the police department echoes advice given by Yellowstone officials on how to interact with wildlife.
"Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival," The National Park Service says on its website.
"Park regulations require that you stay at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all wildlife (including bison, elk and deer) and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves. Disregarding these regulations can result in fines, injury, and even death. The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules."
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