Editor:
Re: Be a dear and don’t harm the deer (July 6 issue of the Grand Forks Gazette)
On July 12, a deer was shot in Gyro Park.
The Farmer’s Market was in full swing as a scrawny looking doe fearlessly walked through the park nibbling here and there at the wonderful gardens planted by the city.
As she began crossing Central Avenue, she was struck by a vehicle. The driver stopped briefly, but only to check for damage to the vehicle, then drove off.
The doe lay in the road foaming from the mouth. Her back and legs were damaged.
She was in pain. She could not get up. There was blood. She was confused and afraid
Meanwhile, a caring lady crouched down and held her healing hands along the doe’s back. Another lady called the conservation officer and another directed traffic.
I joined in and held my hands gently and firmly on the doe’s hips as the healer lady took her head in her arms and stroked her. The doe’s breathing eased and she relaxed.
The conservation officer arrived promptly and moved the deer off the road.
I stood in front of her, made eye contact and prayed. She lay calm. The officer instructed us all to walk away.
He took out his pistol and a shot echoed through the park. Somewhere nearby a fawn is missing its mother.
Thank you officer for your difficult role. Thank you healer. A slap on the wrist to both the driver, who didn’t stay, and to all those who feed deer and encourage them to multiply in a very un-natural habitat.
While seeing a mother deer and her fawns in the city may be beautiful, it is also very tragic. Their behaviour has become fearless and aggressive and their diet is without discrimination.
This is totally un-natural – not nature’s way.
Unless someone donates a huge, well-fenced acreage to operate a deer sanctuary, culling at this time seems the best solution – for the health and well-being of both humans and deer. I feel very sad.
Rosemary Phillips
Christina Lake