Family gets to keep rescued deer

[Siwsan]

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]

1. Ugh. Hooved, antlered rats

But, hey, if they're happy, more power to them.

[N.I.B.]

2. Awesome story

Love stories like this. Thanks for posting Siwsan.

[NaturalHigh]

3. I hope it all works out well.

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]

5. I think because it's been around just humans, a reserve might cause trouble for the deer

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]

6. Yes, beautiful and easy to fall in love with.

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]

4. But ... How will the Deer feel come mating season ?

[RebelOne]

15. It is not the doe, but the buck you would have to worry about.

They become quite aggressive during the rut.

[In_The_Wind]

16. However the smell of the doe will bring the bucks too close to home.

[11 Bravo]

7. "The Yearling" is an amazing book! I first read it in 9th grade (LONG ago), but I have ...

re-read it on numerous occasions and still find it captivating.

[Siwsan]

9. It is one of my all-time favorite movies, too

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]

14. Saw the movie and really cried when the deer was shot. n/t

[Marrah_G]

8. People are killed by captive deer all the time

Not a good choice as a pet.

[Siwsan]

10. True, but it's a doe so the antler issue is out of the equation - just watch the hoofs

I do wonder how long they will actually be able to responsibly keep her.

[Marrah_G]

11. And I hope they don't allow kids near her.

[Daemonaquila]

12. That's all a bit overblown.

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]

13. It's a wild animal

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.