Support grows for couple facing jail for deer rescue....

[OldDem2012]

This article truly falls under the "WTF" category....

Support grows for couple facing jail for deer rescue

QUOTE:

Trouble is, what the Councellers did is against the law. And more than two years after rescuing the deer, and more than six months after conservation officers began an investigation, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources wants them prosecuted.

The charge -- illegal possession of a white-tailed deer — is a just a misdemeanor, but punished to the fullest it could cost the Councellers up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Incredible.

[Downtown Hound]

1. Destroy the world economy and get a nearly one trillion dollar bailout

and a nice retirement package. Save a deer and go to jail. Gawd bless America.

[randome]

3. Local LE has nothing to do with the world economy. They're just being assholes.

Anyone with a modicum of common sense can see that the word 'possession' can be interpreted differently. They should have let this go long ago.

[Downtown Hound]

4. This is a statement on just how fucked up America is

Not a statement on law enforcement jurisdiction or anything.

[freckleface]

2. Taxpayer dollars at work...

Disgustingly shameful!

[ceile]

5. good for them.

Stand your ground Councellers!

[liberalhistorian]

6. You're kidding, right?

I think you forgot the sarcasm tag thingie. I hope.

[ceile]

7. no, why? n/t

[OldDem2012]

10. In your opinion, what should they have done? nt.

[lotsofsnowplease]

8. just plain dumb

Got anything better to do?

[MynameisBlarney]

9. Oh FFS!

What an incredible waste of time and tax payer money.

[dbackjon]

11. What they did was illegal

And harmful in general.

Deer are not pets.

They were right to rescue it, but should have called any number of animal rescue groups to to do it the right way.

[OldDem2012]

16. How was the deer harmed by nursing the animal back to good health....

....with the intent to release the animal back into the wild? What could any of the animal rescue groups have done any differently than what the Councellors did?

Additionally, I'm sure Jeff Counceller, who is "a member of the SWAT team in Connersville, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police and someone who once brought in a murderer who killed three people", is pretty squared-away when it comes to the law.

And finally, the deer has already been released into the wild. What exactly is DNR proving by pushing this ill-advised prosecution? Just my opinion, but it seems like they could be using tax dollars to pursue much more current cases.

[dbackjon]

17. They never released him back into the wild

Only did so when Natural Resources came after them.


And many cops think the law doesn't really apply to them.


Prevention. So you are for selective efforcement of laws?

[OldDem2012]

20. I'm for using common sense in the application of the law....

...evidently, that's something neither you nor DNR seem to favor.

[dbackjon]

22. Very much in favor of common sense

Common sense tells me that deer are not pets.

Common sense tells me that a wildlife rehabber should have been called.


So looks like I have common sense. The people and posters defending them - not so much.

[OldDem2012]

26. That's your opinion....good luck pushing that concept. nt.

[dbackjon]

30. Since that concept is already the accepted rule of law nationwide, don't need to push it

[Mojorabbit]

23. They did it wrong

It would be the same if it was a bear. They should have contacted a wildlife rehabilitator who would have doctored it and raised it with other young deer with a minimum of human interaction so that it would not become habituated to humans. It can be a death sentence to a wild animal to release it if it has no fear of humans in a dozen ways. Since the damage is done, it would have been better for DNR to use this as a teaching tool on what not to do and what TO do if one finds an orphan. It was handled badly all the way around. If it was released I hope it does not approach a hunter.

[X_Digger]

24. +1

Sad but true.

[liberal_at_heart]

28. I agree

It belongs in the wild and in order to go back into the wild it needs minimal human interaction.

[dbackjon]

31. Bingo - a simple concept, yet not grasped by many on this thread

[DollarBillHines]

19. We have pet deer.

They follow us around like puppies and sleep in a shed. They love to be scratched and petted and eat out of our hands.

Also, the buck is very territorial and will keep wild deer out of the vineyard.

[xxqqqzme]

12. The DNR

was going to euthanized the deer because it survived? This is messed up.

[OldDem2012]

13. There's a Monty Python skit in this story somewhere. nt.

[X_Digger]

25. Likely because it was so habituated to humans that it couldn't be released.

Wildlife rehab isn't something you try on a whim.

[Pakid]

14. Remember this is a very Red State

And it is a state run by nuts and that says it all

[Vattel]

15. If there were ever a time and place for prosecutorial discretion this would be it.

[strongermessage]

18. Unbelieveable.

This couple may go to jail because of the illegal possession of one white-tailed dear that they rescued. Yet, it is legal for game preserves not only breed and raise deer, but also to keep them enclosed behind high-wire fences until someone pays to shoot them.

[Arcanetrance]

21. But if some asshole shot it out of season they would probably get a pass and a medal

[Auntie Bush]

27. " possession of a deer could foster the transmission of diseases and parasites from animals to human

Well then all those vets across the country are guilty too. So was my family and I guilty when we saved and fed baby squirrels. What about those who band birds? This is a made up charge by someone who's nose was out of joint or a neighbor with pull who doesn't like animals in the neighborhood. etc.

It's as ridiculous as when that little kindergarten boy kissed his classmate and was expelled for sexual harassment. There are lots of examples of STUPID.

[indepat]

29. No good deed goes unpunished in a right-wing-soused

society wherein reason, common sense, and humanity are most often discarded.

[Separation]

32. Small town, I'm guessing a personal vendetta against the family.

I can't think of another reason for it to get to this level of ridiculousness.

[Enrique]

33. "illegal possession of a white-tailed deer"

legalize it.