Posted on 02/08/2013 8:43:35 AM PST by Beowulf9
An Indiana couple is facing up to 60 days in jail and $2,000 in fines for saving a deer from death. Jeff Counceller, a police officer, and his wife Jennifer spotted an injured baby deer on their neighbor’s porch. Instead of turning a blind eye to the dying fawn, the Councellers took the deer in and nursed it back to health.
They kept the deer, Little Orphan Dani, in their backyard as it recovered. Everything was fine until an Indiana Conservation Officer spotted Little Orphan Dani in the Councellers’ yard. The Councellers were charged with unlawful possession of a deer, a misdemeanor offense.
The day that Little Orphan Dani was to be euthanized by the Conservation Agency, the deer inexplicably escaped into the wild. Although Little Orphan Dani was able to get away, the Councellers may not be so lucky.
Historically, crimes have two elements: (1) actus reus (bad act), and (2) mens rea (bad intent).
Most people would agree that nursing an animal back to health is not a “bad act” in the sense of being morally blameworthy. Keeping the deer is deemed to be a “bad act” only because the legislature has said it is prohibited. Do we as a society want to punish acts that are not inherently wrong with criminal penalties?
http://blog.heritage.org/2013/01/30/couple-faces-jail-time-for-saving-a-baby-deers-life/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.heritage.org ...
You just wait, ScottinVA. They're coming your way. They're already a problem in Delaware. I don't know if they're a problem yet in MD, but I do know they're moving in on ya.
And you're right. I'm all out of compassion for deer. And squirrels. ;)
It's not that I haven't been tempted...
I have deer and other wildlife that damage my yard. I still couldn’t turn my back on an injured deer. I’ve cared for bunnies, knowing full well the damage they do to my gardens if I fail to use effective barriers. I hate having to repair damage, but there are worse things.
What people forget is they aren't sweet doggies. They are wild animals and are as destructive and dangerous as any wild animal.
I watched out my picture window as a herd of does and fawns fed in the field. A doe came out of the pack and kicked another does fawn until it had a huge bloody hole in it's side. She then fed in the spot that the fawn vacated.
They are not sweet, harmless animals.
I live in Pennsylvania too....and deer can be destructive...about 2 years ago our neighbor rescued a fawn...we live out in the country, so he left her roam....she never leaves this area, and comes on the porch when she wants an apple....if we’re in the garage, she comes in there...she’s actually, just like a dog....my neighbor takes her for a walk every night in the summer...in hunting season, he puts an orange vest on her....and when he calls her, she comes...it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen...
A few years ago there was a deer hanging out at the local golf course. The kids were feeding it...(get this) thin mints.
It was there every day for weeks.
Eventually it got aggressive with some golfers and a golfer/county sheriff had to get his pistol and put it down.
Deer can easily becone acclimated to humans and can be very dangerous when they lose their fear of them.
Blog pimp!!!
All charges were dropped!
I was told that we faced a fine and possible jail years ago for helping out a chickadee.
I want my country back.
We found a nuthatch that couldn’t fly (broken wing) but we have Vets around here that are certified to care for wild creatures. We called them and took it there with no issues.
The person who wanted all deer dead is heartless, would abort his own child most likely :)
Careful as that sounds very liberal. Children are not on the same scale as a wild animal.
If you check in your state you may find that all wildlife are the property of the people of that state. Indiana happens to be one of those states. That’s all I have to say on that.
Yes, you silly goose.
No good deed should go unpunished. /s
Never call animal rescue. I posted our experiences with one before. We found a baby rabbit that had a broken leg and called the rescue person. She grabbed it and told us right then that all animals in her possession are put down. Uh, excuse me, I don’t think so. I had to get up all in her face before getting the rabbit back. Evil witch. Never again.
New Gov told DNR to reconsider. DNR told prosecutor to drop charges and they announced that they will drop charges.
LOL!!!
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