Joined Mar 2009
283 Posts | 0+
Edmonton, Alberta CANADA
Bye, bye Bambi
Reprinted from Trent Loos' Newsletter
A swerving vehicle directly ahead initially made me first wonder if the driver was lost but then there in front of me it was - an injured yearling fawn laying in the middle of the highway.
It had been hit by another vehicle, and I can only imagine how many vehicles had driven around this animal without a second thought to its condition.
Initially, I, too, drove past. Then my conscience got the best of me and I turned around to see if I could get the paralyzed deer off the road.
As I moved the young deer into the ditch, I considered if leaving it there was actually the “right” thing to do, or if I should instead find a way to end this injured animal’s suffering. I also considered if perhaps I should take it to a local veterinarian if one could be found, but I just wasn’t sure that would be a welcomed burden to bestow upon someone so unexpectedly and what obligations I would then be putting on that veterinary professional.
Having spent all my life around production animals and knowing all that goes into good animal husbandry, I knew that the proper thing to do was to respectfully end this young deer’s life. No veterinary attention and no amount of special care was going to bring this fawn back to any sort of animal life that resembles that of an unharmed deer.
Yet, it was the fear of a penalty that initially prevented me from acting as my conscience told me I should.
Given how quickly the State of California has been to pass judgment on animal owners and to err toward the extreme of “protecting” animal’s rights, I just wasn’t sure how taking the humane route in this situation would be perceived by authorities.
So I left that deer sitting along the side the road out of my own fear of personal retribution from those that have repeatedly shown they do not understand proper animal treatment.
As I drove on I continued to second guess my decision. In fact, I found I couldn’t clear my mind of the vision of that injured fawn sitting out there in the dark of night unable to move in order to seek the shelter or food necessary for survival. I also thought about how easy prey it would be for other animals that undoubtedly would not give a second thought as to the amount of suffering they would cause the fawn in its final moments.
A few hours passed and I could help but go back to check on the fawn. It was in the exact location I had placed it alongside of the road.
I now have no trouble sleeping knowing that this beautiful, young creature is not suffering on the side of the road because of the decision I made.
Reprinted from Trent Loos' Newsletter
A swerving vehicle directly ahead initially made me first wonder if the driver was lost but then there in front of me it was - an injured yearling fawn laying in the middle of the highway.
It had been hit by another vehicle, and I can only imagine how many vehicles had driven around this animal without a second thought to its condition.
Initially, I, too, drove past. Then my conscience got the best of me and I turned around to see if I could get the paralyzed deer off the road.
As I moved the young deer into the ditch, I considered if leaving it there was actually the “right” thing to do, or if I should instead find a way to end this injured animal’s suffering. I also considered if perhaps I should take it to a local veterinarian if one could be found, but I just wasn’t sure that would be a welcomed burden to bestow upon someone so unexpectedly and what obligations I would then be putting on that veterinary professional.
Having spent all my life around production animals and knowing all that goes into good animal husbandry, I knew that the proper thing to do was to respectfully end this young deer’s life. No veterinary attention and no amount of special care was going to bring this fawn back to any sort of animal life that resembles that of an unharmed deer.
Yet, it was the fear of a penalty that initially prevented me from acting as my conscience told me I should.
Given how quickly the State of California has been to pass judgment on animal owners and to err toward the extreme of “protecting” animal’s rights, I just wasn’t sure how taking the humane route in this situation would be perceived by authorities.
So I left that deer sitting along the side the road out of my own fear of personal retribution from those that have repeatedly shown they do not understand proper animal treatment.
As I drove on I continued to second guess my decision. In fact, I found I couldn’t clear my mind of the vision of that injured fawn sitting out there in the dark of night unable to move in order to seek the shelter or food necessary for survival. I also thought about how easy prey it would be for other animals that undoubtedly would not give a second thought as to the amount of suffering they would cause the fawn in its final moments.
A few hours passed and I could help but go back to check on the fawn. It was in the exact location I had placed it alongside of the road.
I now have no trouble sleeping knowing that this beautiful, young creature is not suffering on the side of the road because of the decision I made.
