To lose a beloved pet under any circumstances is a tragedy. As a dog owner my heart goes out to the family which lost theirs after an altercation with a deer.
Truly what is the answer to the deer situation?
Last winter the mayor of Oak Bay insisted on culling 11 deer and proudly boasted that it was a success. Apparently he was alone in that thought.
Prior to the cull I had seen few deer here in Oak Bay but since that time I have seen more. Proves again that a cull is not the way to reduce the deer population, a fact borne out in many locations in North America.
I was quite skeptical about the contraception program being offered but after seeing an obvious increase in fawns it might be the answer. Deer attacks are very rare as documented by the provincial government but we must also remain vigilant with our animals – especially during rutting season – just as we are when we drive. We don’t have to live in armed fortresses.
Andrew Downs
Oak Bay