Friendly Deer


Keeping deer as pets has been a common practice historically in many parts of the U.S., from California to Florida where the famous novel "The Yearling" took place.  The best-selling novel in America in 1938, it was a story about a boy and his deer similar in plot to the famous dog movie "Old Yeller".  The book was made into the 1946 movie "The Yearling", starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman, both nominated for Oscars.


"During the 1780s and 1790s, George Washington transformed the area just below the lawn overlooking the Potomac at his Mount Vernon Estate into a park for tame deer ... Washington was very fond of the deer, admitting in a letter that he had given up his beloved pack of hounds because the deer were afraid of them... "[Source: George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens August 7, 2012 Virginia, MountVernon.org]


Audrey Hepburn made friends with a fawn during the 1959 movie, "Green Mansions".  She took the deer home so they could bond for the movie, which they did.  Audrey kept the deer, named Pippin,  after the filming ended.


The Pars and Forests of the Lordship of Ruthin, by Andre Berry December, 1992

... William the Conqueror ... as attested in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle (1087): "The king (William) set up great protection for deer and legislated to that intent, that whosoever should slay hart or hind should be blinded…he loved the high-deer as if he were their father".


The Deer Who Lived Upstairs October 25, 2022 The New Yorker

... Dillie was nearly dead. Butera fully expected Glick to ask her to euthanize the little animal. Instead, he announced that he wanted Butera to take the fawn home and give her a good life ... Dillie was born almost blind ...


Friendly deer found in neighborhood returns home May 7, 2014 South Carolina, 

WIS-TV 

... The deer's name is Comet, and it turns out he's a family pet on a farm just outside of Simpsonville ... Comet got out after a tree fell on the fence ...

CNY village of Pulaski erecting statue of Bella, its beloved deer January 2, 2020 New York, newyorkupstate.com

... A group of community-minded residents and business officials are working on keeping the memory of a Bella, a beloved white-tailed deer that disappeared back in 2017, alive for generations to come.  The group, P.R.O.P. (Preservation and Revitalization of Pulaski), has raised more than $3,500 in donations and grant money to build a bronze statue of Bella ...

‘Elderly for her species’: Catching up with internet sensation Dillie the deer, now 17 February 16, 2021 Ohio, FOX8 Cleveland

... It was back in 2004 that Butera took in the three-day-old blind, dying fawn after her mother refused her.  Dillie went on to live in Butera’s home and become part of the family, even getting a bedroom of her own...


Fawn seized, euthanized June 10, 2020 Oregon, Lincoln City Homepage

... Over a two-week period, the black-tailed deer lived in the Ready’s house and played with her dogs — apparently dooming the poor creature... . “The deer fawn was evaluated and determined to not be suited for release and was humanely euthanized by ODFW biologists.”

Crown Point's very own pet': Local white deer mystifies residents July 10, 2020 Indiana, nwitimes.com

... For the past few years, a white deer has made her way around the city, prancing around backyards, being spotted by residents and captivating hearts.  Most refer to her as "Snow," ...


A deer continues to visit neighbors who rescued her in North Dakota town January 4, 2020 North Dakota, Local 24 News

... A North Dakota neighborhood has adopted an unusual community pet.  Meet Jonnie the deer... A resident and her son rescued the doe from the side of the road three years ago. She was found next to her dead mother with a broken leg. The family nursed the fawn back to health...

Deer hunters save 'King of Carson,' Carson City's famous buck, from tussle with clothesline January 2, 2020 Nevada, Carson Now

... the King of Carson, the great wild buck who is often seen munching on the grasses along the west side, generally accompanied by a dozen or more does and fawns.  Last weekend, the Deer King found himself in a bit of a pickle after getting himself and his massive antlers tangled with what appeared to be a clothesline...

Community raises orphaned fawn after mother deer dies in traffic November 14, 2014 Ohio, 

WXYZ

...  after watching an adult female deer die in traffic.  They recognized a young fawn left behind. It's news in their neighborhood because deer don't usually spend anytime there. Now, you won't believe the bond the young deer has made with the neighborhood...

Family nurses deer to health, face fears of euthanasia by state agents October 13, 2015 Ohio, Fox 19

... The Abney's have raised a white tailed deer for the past six months, but fear they will lose their pet after the owner said ODNR threatened to shoot it.  The family said "Sugar" comes and goes as he pleases ever since they first found him alone and starving. ...

Friendly Deer in the News

Style of hunting controversy after friendly deer goes missing on Daufuskie Island January 10, 2024 South Carolina, WTOC-TV

... After a recent dog-driven deer hunt, Turbo hasn’t been seen.  The deer was a common site on Daufuskie Island. Visitors and residents alike reached out to WTOC with their photos, videos and stories of meeting Turbo, the deer that wore a collar... everybody loved her, she went into local bars ...

Tame deer named Bartek fatally shot by hunter in Polish town, sparking outrage December 20, 2023 Poland, PolskieRadio

... The case has particularly appalled the community, as Bartek was a well-known and tame deer, fed and cared for by residents for years. "Killing a tame, gentle animal was probably not difficult," ...


Pet Deer All Dressed Up for Christmas Has People Talking December 16, 2023 PetHelpful 

...  She's often inside her owner's house and is regularly dressed up in cute hats ... Popcorn's dad ... has the necessary license in his state...


Famous Richmond deer allegedly killed by poacher: ‘Such a punch to the gut’  December 15, 2023 Richmond-Petersburg WWBT 

... had a lot of fans in the river city, and now those fans were heartbroken... was killed by a poacher... has been around for at least 10 years. She described him as friendly and often allowed people to get close to him for pictures...[photos from Outdoor Life]

Wildlife officials euthanize ‘Bucky’ the friendly deer in Hutchinson December 8, 2023 Kansas, Wichita-Hutchinson Plus KWCH-DT

...  Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks... opted to euthanize a deer, known as Bucky, that the community had grown to love... after a call on Dec. 5 where “a habituated white-tailed buck was aggressively pursuing an unarmed male resident.” ... [Bucky Below]

FWC Changes Policy in Response to Outrage Over Killing of Deer December 8, 2023 Florida,  FlaglerLive

... Palm Coast residents indignant at the euthanizing of a domesticated deer by throat-slitting in early October addressed the Dec. 5 meeting of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and got what appeared to be an immediate response: FWC ... has changed its euthanizing policy to prevent similar outcomes in future...


Deer nursed back to health by woman was shot, left to ‘bleed out’ by City of Dickson officers November 15, 2023 Tennessee, WSMV Nashville

... Police said that upon arrival at the Dickson residence on Sunday, a homeowner showed officers surveillance footage of the deer lowering his head and “forcing [the homeowner] off of his front porch.”  Lane said this was how BeeBee played.  “He does it with me and my children, and he’s never hurt anybody,” ...


Remembering North Dakota's Favorite Pet Deer Jonnie/Ruth November 10, 2023 US 103.3

... her name was Jonnie to some and Ruth to others.  She was a fixture for numerous farms south of Sterling and over to Braddock for about 5 years... The Fallgatters raised Jonnie as a very young fawn as her mother and sibling were hit and killed by a car... Jonnie would raise a couple of young fawns of her own ...


Michigan officer on leave after killing Annie, the ‘friendly’ deer October 24, 2023 Michigan, MLive

... The deer is seen flailing on the video before the officer puts it down. Clips of it are circulating on social media, including one that includes the shooting and another video that cuts off before the shooting. ...

     W. Mich. town erupts over tribal cop's killing of domesticated deer November 26, 2023 Michigan, The Herald Palladium

... The Lawrence Police Department knew about their deer-about-town but wasn’t alarmed. In a photo posted on the village’s Facebook page, an officer in a police SUV reached out the window to pet Annie... [This article gives a detailed account of Annie the deer]

     Small town in Van Buren County upset following killing of beloved community deer October 21, 2023 Michigan, WZZM-TV 

...  the deer was accustomed to people and they named her Annie. Despite no one owning the deer, she would often visit peoples' homes ... The police are now facing an onslaught of community backlash due to what the community feels was the wrongful killing of the deer... [see video below]

Officer fired for killing ‘friendly’ neighborhood deer known as Annie October 27, 2023 Michigan, MLive

... The Pokagon Band Tribal Police has terminated an officer who killed a deer that was known as being friendly to people in the community...


'Mascot' deer shot dead by hunter October 23, 2023 Italy, MSN

... A deer called Bamobotto or 'Big Bambi' that was the mascot of a northern Italian village has been shot dead by a hunter in an incident that has spurred local indignation and sorrow ...  It had become a TV star on the Linea Bianca programme and was wont to come up to house windows to be stroked and fed ...


An inhumane shooting occurred in sanctuary October 22, 2023 Colorado, Aspen Daily News

... An orphaned deer who napped and nested outside my studio for two summers was killed by “wildlife” people. Armed police officers entered my yard, without permit or cause, where a deer munched flowers... officer said, “He may have to be killed,” while our 12-pound dog touched the deer’s nose...


Video Below:  Ronda Mau raised Zoey the deer from finding her dying as a fawn in her driveway over a year ago, and says she took the necessary steps to keep Zoey. However, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says Zoey is an illegally held deer  Read more.

Zoey the deer removed from Saginaw County woman's house June 19, 2023 Michigan, ABC12

... it was a therapy animal for children and adults who visit the Deer Haven Spiritual Retreat... The DNR allows the retreat to rehabilitate fawns, but it does not allow wild animals to become domesticated ... [photo below from ABC12]

DNR removes Zoey the deer from Saginaw County property June 19, 2023 Michigan, ABC12

... Mau had a USDA permit to have the animal to exhibit, but later was told the state has the final say.  "They did not want to give me a permit, and I applied for every permit there possibly was out there," Mau said...


A “Deer” Friend: Golden Retriever Shares Remarkable Lifelong Friendship with Doe. February 5, 2023 inspiremore.com 

... The story first began over a decade ago ... an orphaned fawn when her mother was tragically struck and killed by a vehicle. Around that same time, Lorrie gave her son a golden retriever puppy for Christmas... Once introduced, Buttons the deer and G-bro the dog became fast friends and eager playmates ...


She Moved to Montana and Befriended a Deer. What Happened Next Is Tragic January 16, 2023  Newsweek

... while Williams was unpacking their truck, a mother deer with her two fawns appeared, peering around the shed...[later] her tragic experience with a mother deer, whom she comforted for three days in sub-zero temperatures as the animal lay dying outside her rural Montana home after being attacked by a predator... 


Louisiana residents want justice for neighborhood pet deer that was shot December 30, 2022 CBS 42

... For the past three years, a deer known as Butterbean, become a part of this neighborhood’s family ... “ the (game) warden was there... in front of me and the children..."  Video Below

Louisiana man accused of shooting tame deer in front of kids, LDWF agent December 29, 2022 WGNO

... A Livingston Parish community is mourning a beloved pet in the community. The doe, known as Butterbean, was shot to death on Tuesday, Dec. 27 in front of a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent and others...


Community outraged over albino deer killed in Fayette County December 7, 2022 Pennsylvania, CBS News

... a Perryopolis man is facing state game violations after he allegedly killed the deer out of season... A community in Fayette County is mourning a beloved animal ...


Registered service deer 'Twitch' reportedly confiscated by WVDNR Novemberf 11, 2022 West Virginia, WVNS

... Miller said her and her family had rescued ‘Twitch’ and have been raising her since she was two days old. ‘Twitch’ is registered under the USA Service Dog Registration under the breed of “Other”...


Highland village becomes a haven for red deer herd September 5, 2022 Scotland, The Times

... An early-morning cull in February, in which several animals were shot by marksmen in the village, was halted after an outcry by some villagers, who had got to know the deer over four years of visits.  No further culls will take place inside the village boundaries after an agreement was reached between the Kinlochleven Community ...


'At first she acted like a dog:' Steele County family treats injured fawn August 5, 2022 North Dakota, Grand Forks Herald

...  On her inner thigh, she had a bunch of gouges taken out ...The Benders rescued the fawn, fed it, bandaged its injuries and nursed it back to health. That went on for a few days. The deer was free to roam around the farmyard and leave if she wanted to, but she and the other animals became fast friends...


A Tearful Update On A North Dakota Favorite: "Jonnie" The Deer August 2, 2022  SuperTalk 1270

... Jonnie, the tame deer that was a fixture for numerous farms south of Sterling and over to Braddock has not been seen since late January ... The Fallgatters raised Jonnie as a very young fawn as her mother and sibling were hit and killed by a car.  Jonnie was also injured in that accident and suffered a broken leg...


A deer is the newest neighbor in southwest Fort Wayne July 3, 2022 Indiana, Wane.com

... He appeared to be friendly and took a stroll down the street with his new friends, some kids in the neighborhood...


Adopted deer returns home after 7-months away, and brings a surprise with her June 25, 2022 Mississippi, Magnolia State Live

... She’s going to have a baby or two of her own... Gigi was the Mardises first experience with raising orphaned wildlife of that size...  the law says you can’t fence in a deer. We haven’t done that...


Gary Brown: Remembering Dillie the Deer  April 17, 2022 Ohio, Yahoo! Sports

... our meeting back in Spring 2013 went well. I petted her head and neck as she laid on, then stood near, her bed in her own room in the home of veterinarian Melanie Butera ...  I frequently would tune in to "Dillie Cam," to see what the deer was up to ...

     Local internet sensation Dillie the deer passes away April 10, 2022 Ohio, FOX8 Cleveland

... at the age of 18 ... Dillie was just 3 days old when Butera took her in. At that point she was blind and dying ...


Rare piebald deer a winter favourite at Cape Breton Wild  February 2, 2022 Nova Scotia, CTV News Atlantic

... “Alan” is a piebald white-tailed deer ... abandoned by his mother because he had contracted tendons in his hooves ... He couldn't stand on his hooves, so we had our vet come in, had to do some surgery on him and some physiotherapy... now he's standing on his hooves, and he's doing great."...


Viral deer euthanized after continually wandering into Utah neighborhood January 12, 2022 WSYM-TV

... A neighbor complained about the deer showing up this week, forcing the state to remove it and eventually euthanize it out of "public safety concerns."  Residents said it appeared that the deer was an orphan after his mother was hit by a car...

      Viral video shows friendly deer in Herriman neighborhood, experts warn residents to stay away January 5, 2021 Utah, KSTU

... Locals have been posing for pictures and enjoying the rare experience of getting to play with a wild animal...  Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources said ... if he becomes too regular in the neighborhood, they may have to euthanize Cooper ...


Rare 'piebald' deer known for unusual markings find home with Pennsylvania family as pets January 6, 2021 YAHOO!News

... a family in northeastern Pennsylvania discovered deer can be great pets, too...a young deer was made available about 11 years ago through a petting zoo ... receiving the proper permitting through Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture ...


Friends of deer named Christmas mourn after white doe turns up at processor December 30, 2021 Oklahoma, Tulsa World

...  someone has killed Christmas — and on Christmas Day, no less.  Christmas, a pure-white white-tailed deer popular with residents of the Cleora area near Grand Lake for many years, apparently was killed ... she adopted a herd of cattle as a fawn ...


Memorial to the White Deer of Mission Hills December 9, 2021  San Diego, California - Atlas Obscura

...  a memorial to a white fallow deer named Lucy... Lucy roamed Presidio Park and the Mission Hills neighborhood for more than a decade, becoming a beloved local celebrity...


Update On The Bismarck Area's Favorite Deer Jonnie & EHD November 1, 2021 North Dakota,  SuperTalk 1270

... Her mother and sibling were killed and hit by a car.  The Fallgatters nursed Jonnie back to health and she's been a fixture around their farm for years now... Jonnie hanging out on the porch enjoying some food with the cats... 


‘It’s like killing somebody’s dog,’ “Neighborhood deer” shot by police in yard October 19, 2021 Michigan, WLNS.com

... According to many residents, this wasn’t just any deer, it was the neighborhood deer... “I was pissed. Why would they shoot the deer? The deer comes to my house at least once a week, wants to be petted, wants to be loved,” Miller said...


See Jonnie The Deer's Baby (PHOTOS) June 21, 2021 North Dakota, Hot 975

...Jonnie herself was rescued as a baby after her mother and sibling were hit by a truck about 6 years ago near Sterling, North Dakota.  Since then, Jonnie became very tame and spends her time roaming between about 12 farms in the area.  However, she spends just about every evening on the porch ...


Man looking into license to keep pet deer that's house trained April 12, 2021 Delaware, Yahoo News

... will "sleep on the couch, wake up and tap on the door when she's ready to leave" ... the Delaware Department of Natural Resources who let him know that allowing deer into the house is illegal possession of wildlife ...

Man looking into license to keep pet deer that's house trained April 12, 2021 Delaware, Yahoo News

... will "sleep on the couch, wake up and tap on the door when she's ready to leave" ... the Delaware Department of Natural Resources who let him know that allowing deer into the house is illegal possession of wildlife ...

Pet deer that formed bond with family dogs seized by Indiana wildlife officials January 20, 2021 Indiana, WDRB

... [video below] Bimbo was never forced into captivity or restrained, even though the family considered him a pet, but he did learn how to go in and out of the home's doggie door by following huskies... they're hearing from a lot of people in the community who have offered to start a petition or fundraising campaign to get the deer back...

Kansas Game Wardens Shoot Wild Doe That Family Has Been Keeping As A Pet January 11, 2021 Whiskey Riff

... While it doesn’t technically live on the property, she’s always around, plays with their dogs, goes in the house ...  they arrived on her property and shot the doe ...

Violent threats made against DWR officer who shot domestic deer January 14, 2020 Utah, fox13now.com

... Law enforcement in two southern Utah counties are investigating threats towards a conservation officer who shot a domesticated deer ...  which [the family] had rescued at its birth ....The DWR tells FOX 13 they are still reviewing the incident and are working with the family to come to a resolution and to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again...  VIDEO BELOW

    'They've overstepped their bounds'; Sheriffs battle with DWR over abuse of authority following doe shooting January 13, 2020 Utah, St George News

... The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources met with multiple sheriffs following an incident in which a conservation officer went on private property to euthanize a deer ... “(The DWR) thinks they can do whatever they want, and they’ve overstepped their bounds here,” ...

Whitetail Doe Lived 20 Years as ‘Farm Guest’  April 9, 2019 Georgia, 

AllOutdoor

...  a whitetail doe was killed by a vehicle from Kentucky traveling through Georgia in 1999, her young fawn was left defenseless and unwilling to leave its mother’s side... Prissy was never restrained physically, but she simply didn’t want to get very far from home. The dogs never left the farm, so she had to return in order to visit them...


Bambi graces Idaho ranch for 18 years April 18, 2018 KTVB.com

...On Bar MB Ranches lives a pet mule deer named Bambi...The yearling had lost her mother ...  "She was already grown up enough and she made her mind up about where she was going to be...

Clarington, 'He was my best friend': Girl's heartbreak after wildlife officer shoots dead tame young deer in front of children claiming it was dangerous August 16, 2014 Ohio, Daily Mail 

... Residents of a tiny village in Ohio are up in arms after they say a game warden shot and killed a tame deer in front of children who had befriended the animal.  People in Clarington - population 384 - said the deer has become known in the area for its friendly demeanor, allowing children and adults to pet it and pose for pictures with it...


Oklahoma Man Pleads No Contest To Killing Rare Deer February 19, 2015 Oklahoma's Own NewsOn6

... The spotted buck was well-known in the Park Hill area as "Patches." The deer was killed along Horseshoe Bend Road, but game wardens said the man who shot Patches let him suffer for hours first.  “It was kind of like a pet,” ...



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