deer hit by car

[birdstitcher]

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/ ... ntoNewHome

I would like everyone to know that this deer had a calf. I did not see the deer hit, but, I did see the calf nearly be hit by another car and take off towards Rennie Park ravine. It did not seem to have spots, and was fairly tall so perhaps it was not completely reliant on the doe for sustenance. But I guess nature will just take its course.

The person who hit the deer was upset as the deer just came out of nowhere, as they are wont to do. One just does not expect it in the city.  I had called 911 and was told the police were on the way to shoot it. The officer arrived and did not want to do so. He wanted to see if there were other options. Animal services arrived and had no means to euthanize the deer or help it. He tried the Toronto Zoo as another option. Toronto Wildlife Centre did not have the means to care for so large an animal either. Meanwhile we all tried to find a way to get help for this poor animal. She appeared to have a broken leg/shoulder and other possible injuries.  We tried to keep her cool and calm.

One of the bystanders called the Sudbury wildlife centre where she volunteered, and they were willing to come get her, but that would take hours. Local vets and an emergency vet were unable to help. I am just frustrated that it took 3h to finally decide that she should be euthanized by an apparent gunshot. I know it was probably the most humane thing to do, but, it is still distressing. I had just come off nights and was walking home when this all unfolded. I had to leave at 1000 as I have to work tonight and needed sleep. Have not slept well. I commend everybody for trying to help this animal, and for those who stayed with her. I just hope that there can be changes made. The Animal Services officer said that they no longer have the equipment to euthanize so large an animal. I think that is just so sad. She suffered longer than needed, perhaps because of us trying to save her, but at least she is no longer suffering or in pain now.

Kerri

[BoboBird]

What a sad story.

Animal Services dont have the means! What is the point of having them then? If they had wanted to do something they would have found the means. These people probably deal with so many of such issues that they are de-sensitised.

[KPaw]

I saw that story on the news last night..... something is very wrong when Toronto Animal  Services are not able to properly respond in a timely fashion and, as to having to shoot the poor thing, that is just so sad and so wrong... I feel so very sorry for the poor little one left behind and I hope she has found some help with another deer....a very tragic situation.  Thanks for posting about this.

[angieinto]

I saw this on the news as well and it broke my heart.  

[Rob'in'To]

Yes, as much as it probably hurt to key this out Kerri, thanks for the added information.

Ang and I were quite upset at the whole story.

Deer are quite regular in the GTA and all wild animal services should be prepared for anything that might happen in our city.  It was very surprising to learn TWC is not equipped for such an animal.

The lengthy wait was just wrong, all that suffering.  I am sure the officer didn't want to do the deed.  I cannot imagine.  And with so many people watching who all tried to help over those hours witnessing it.

We can only hope the young Deer will survive now.

[birdstitcher]

Yes it was very hard to type out, especially when I found out the outcome online. I spoke with somebody yesterday who stayed to the very end. This person told me more details. The deer was eventually able to stand, so the apparent broken leg did not occur. But she was having trouble holding up her head so she was definitely injured. Somebody contacted a deer rescue organization in Napanee who also said they could not take her and that if she was letting people touch her, then she was quite injured as deer are skittish by nature. I think people started to realize as she stood there and could not hold up her head that she was dying.

This person also told me that the officer there from the beginning, who was very nice, left the scene and other officers took over. Apparently there were 4-5 cruisers with 2 officers each. I have no idea why so many. But, it is one small kindness to the people around that he did not end her suffering.

I was also surprised that the TWC could not deal with a deer or any other service in the city. One would think that there would be some service capable to care for injured deer as they are in the GTA. The suffering was so long both for the deer and the people around. It still saddens me though I know it was for the best.

I too hope the calf is old enough to survive.

Kerri

[KPaw]

What is the reason Toronto Wildlife is giving to justify why on earth they could not respond?   That is just unbelievable and it's too bad that their lack of any action in this matter is not being highlighted and addressed in the paper.... something the Toronto Sun usually could delve into.... Really, if it is not within their scope of duties to deal with an injured deer in Toronto to whom does it fall?   Very odd and ultimately very tragic.   I have had to call TWC once and got zero service and, while I'm sure they do so much good, in this instance it definitely appears they dropped the ball.

[birdstitcher]

Their main reasoning was that they did not have the facilities to care for so large an animal. And it was 'just a common white tailed deer.' Which of course begs the question as to why they care for common raccoons. And they would not be able to do anything for the calf unless it was in distress or bothersome. I am not trying to say that the person who left a message was being cold and heartless, she was just trying to explain the situation at the centre and she did recognize my distress. And you have to remember this incident happened before 8am and the Centre does not open until 9.

The person who came and collected the ducks from my terrace in July said that they were soon to be moving to new facilities. Let's hope that they are able to care for bigger animals, not just the deer but the coyotes as well. I am disappointed that they could not help, even it was just to end her life by means other than a bullet. I am disappointed that there was no service in this city capable of handling a deer.

It was just a sad situation that I hope never happens again.

Kerri

This also upset me, people stopping/slowing down their cars to take pictures on their phones!

[KPaw]

.. I wonder how the little babe left behind is doing....that's a very sad fall-out effect from this entire situation also.....I have never seen deer in High Park and I have lived right near the park for many years.... I wonder if the deer was originally around the Humber area.

Anway, I hope the little fawn is safe and well and had been adopted by some kind extended deer family.

Thanks for doing all you could in this situation, Kerri.

[birdstitcher]

I too hope the little one is doing well. I also have never seen deer in High Park or surrounding area.

Thank you KPaw and everyone else for your kind words and support.

Kerri

[feathered]

Please don't make assumptions about why TWC did or didn't do certain things in response to the situation without doing a bit of research. The executive director has issued an explanation here:

http://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/tw ... -situation

[Rob'in'To]

I got that e-mail from Nathalie.  That was great of her to send it out.

I was never passing judgement on the TWC though.  I was just surprised that they couldn't do more.  But her e-mail explained it all and it's sad really that there isn't enough funding for a centre like that...  and how few are around actually.

[birdstitcher]

I think it is great that the TWC responded to the death of the deer. I am sure they received many calls. I called, twice actually, probably one of the first bystanders after it happened. And the reply I received was as I have outlined, after 9 am, no facilities to care for it. I see there is no mention of the fawn. And when I first went to the TWC website, this response was not there.

Regardless, this animal suffered. I have seen lots of death, good death and bad. You see, I care for the dying, people not animals. And I am disappointed that this animal suffered, in pain (probably), seizure activity (not that I saw) head trauma (possibly/probably), internal injuries and bleeding (possibly/probably). And I just feel so sad. I could see her respirations change, I knew she was dying. She would perk up and then her respirations would change again. It looked like it could be a long slow death, with her trying to stand and to survive. And all I could do for her was to provide calm and to offer a gentle touch. To ease her dying. And I hoped the involved services would aid in making her death as peaceful and painfree as possible. Just as I would provide for the persons in my care. Yet I am disappointed, not only in my limited ability to help ease her suffering but with the available services inability as well. So, I am glad that her peace finally came, even if it was with bullets. At least she had to suffer no more. And I truly hope that she felt some comfort from the actions provided by all the bystanders during her dying process.

And I hope that such an event never happens again. Or, if/when it does, that everyone has learned from this sad event and have found ways to improve response time and actions. Hopefully there will be better funding and more services available. The dying, be they animal or human, should not suffer.

Kerri

[Rob'in'To]

More people need to donate to such places as the Toronto Wildlife Centre.  They should be having their annual open house in October and people should check it out.  I did last year and will again this year.

I've brought them a few critters, one injured Pigeon, and a Blackpoll Warbler.  The Pigeon was put down and the Blackpoll was monitored over night and then released down near the lakeshore as it was well into fall migration.  They let me borrow a Squirrel trap (with a small deposit) when I tried to catch one of our favorite Squirrel friends who got injured somehow in his travels.

Every visit I am giving at least $20 in donation and not that they ever make you feel like you have to open your wallet to them.

I imagine the Deer incident will be a haunting vision to many for some time.