The city of Garden Ridge, Texas, decided to take care of its issue of deer overpopulation, but there's been some backlash.
News 4 reports the suburb northeast of San Antonio had more than 131 deer trapped, killed, processed and donated to the homeless — all at the expense of tax payers.
Some applauded the effort, but many were overwhelmed with anger.
Parus Dudley told News 4 he watched dozens of deer last May have nets dropped over herds and them being hauled away by order of the city.
“I was told by a person who had knowledge of it about shooting the deer in the trailers,” Dudley told the news station.
Dudley, who says he is a hunter, was the person that notified PETA, News 4 reports.
“PETA was very interested and they have a lot of different solutions,” Dudley told the news station.
Since being notified PETA has released a statement, which reads:
“If the county insists on lethal measures, it will find itself in a cruel, endless, and expensive killing cycle. The only effective and humane way to deter deer from entering residential areas is to curtail artificial food sources and make the habitat less appealing.”
According to News 4, Mayor Nadine Knaus says the city has tried everything from prohibiting people from feeding the deer to encouraging people to put in deer-resistant landscaping. She added they’ve even tried some of PETA’s recommendations.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) transferring the deer wasn’t an option because of chronic wasting disease so she eventually asked citizens for their opinions, which led to 11 different meetings. The mayor said 72 percent wanted the deer trapped and removed.
News 4 reports Tom Nelson was one of those that voted for trapping and removing, especially after they began ruining his yard.
"They are cute and they are attractive," Nelson told the news station. "But, you know, enough is enough. How much cuteness do we need?"
Dudley told News 4 that not everyone feels the same as Nelson, adding the deer and openness is what makes Garden Ridge such a beautiful town. He said citizens should let the deer be, adding “If you can’t stand the deer or want something different maybe it’d be better if you moved.”
News 4 reports Knaus said a budget meeting and discussions about whether they’ll trap and kill more deer next year is currently being planned. According to TPWD, in the 6½- or 7-square miles surrounding Garden Ridge of 3,500-plus citizens, there are 5,000 to 7,000 whitetail deer.
