Helen Crook
Dear editor:
This is a serious letter of complaint about the deer situation in town. Apparently, not enough fines, or those of a sufficient amount, were levied to make an impression on those residents who feed the deer.
One can only ask if they think a beautiful appearance excuses all the damage they inflict on the rest of the populace.
This type of shallowness is beyond all comprehension. When horses, cows, and livestock are forbidden in town, it takes a lot of arrogance to justify such behaviour.
It is time for a reality check.
Deer, being creatures of habit, now frequent the town foraging for food although other sources are available in their natural habitat.
The damage deer do is extensive, as I can attest. My neighbour’s cedars are now called Q-tips by him while I have lost innumerable tulips and other flowers, and have had free pruning (by deer) of many shrubs.
I know bylaw enforcement officers do not work nights, but I am requesting a deer count in the hope that a realization of the scope of this problem will spur the town to investigate what can be done.
A similar letter to this has been sent to town council asking for help. Perhaps the Ministry of Natural Resources needs to be involved.
As well as the physical damage done by these wild animals, we face the possibility of serious risks to our health. Deer droppings closely resemble chocolate-coated raisins, so check your lawn before your toddler feasts on these.
If you are not a country person, these droppings can go unnoticed.
The threat of Lyme disease and E.coli is ever present, and your doctor may not recognize the problem (apparently this disease is difficult to diagnose).
I do not wish to be pessimistic, but such a large number of deer is not a good thing. I am asking you, if you have also suffered damage, to take photos and drop them off at the Civic Centre.
You also might wish to photograph how your property looks when decorated with deer fence, orange-and-green plastic fence, burlap, and white plastic bags tied to sticks blowing in the breeze.
I really do not know what can be done but would like to see the problem controlled before, due to the number of deer, we need a ministry shoot.
Thank you,
Helen Crook
Fort Frances, Ont.
