On the morning of
September 16, 2015 a small Yorkshire terrier was tragically killed by a deer in the
municipality of Victoria. In a local newscast the house of a
neighbour was pictured with a deer crossing sign on the front lawn.
The signs are purchased from the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society
by members of the public who want to warn drivers that deer live in
their neighborhoods.
A heartbreaking
situation has become a platform for the pro-cull enthusiasts in a
shameless attempt to bring discussion back to our communities to
support the killing of deer. But the vitriol towards the deer
supporters took an ominous turn when the neighbours whose house was
shown on the news woke up on the morning of September 26 to find an
arrow in their sign. No other signs on this street had been vandalized. The neighbour experienced a justifiable sense
of intimidation. This
time the arrow through the sign was a “novelty” arrow, but the
message was meant to create just that; intimidation and fear.
A DeerSafe member
came very close to becoming a victim of physical assault while
collecting signatures for the “No to a Cull” petition to the CRD.
Fortunately the angry pro-cull individual was restrained by her
companions.
Some politicians
have fed into a fearmongering mentality that creates a violent
atmosphere for citizens. If policies are passed that lead to the
deaths of wild animals who have no way out, there will be resistance
by many citizens who would prefer a humane approach.
DeerSafe holds the
position that lethal deer management in our communities will engender
a sense in our youth that violence will solve their problems. Poor
policy such as the mass slaughter of inconvenient animals is not only
dangerous, it will follow us all into the future.
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