Deer Held By Hagerstown Couple Released
ANNAPOLIS - The deer that resided at the home of a Washington County couple in Hagerstown was released by the couple into the wild earlier today. While it is illegal to possess a wild animal without a permit, the couple will not be charged. Today's event is a reminder to all citizens that wild animals do not make good pets. Wildlife including deer can carry diseases including rabies and chronic wasting disease, which can pose serious threats to native wildlife and humans.Each year the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives numerous calls from citizens who, with the best of intentions, have “rescued” a wild and often young animal and are seeking tips on how to properly care for it. These people are in fact endangering the lives of these rabbits, deer, and birds by interfering with their natural adaptation and learning of basic survival skills. As spring approaches, DNR cautions that residents should leave baby animals where they find them and where they have their best chance of survival.
Young animals are very cute and it’s often hard to resist the urge to help them, but remember, by interfering with them, more harm than good is done. Their chances of survival are much better if left in their natural surroundings.
To learn more about Maryland’s wildlife visit the DNR website at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/ or call the DNR Wildlife Division at (410) 260-8540.
Posted February 19, 2004