Fence is a death trap for deer...

JohnMiller3 · Jul 8, 2003

Fence is a death trap for deer
Troy-- Animals try to jump over wrought iron fence at St. Mary's Cemetery, but often become impaled

“A dozen times this year, Animal Control Officer Kevin McDonough has been called to remove a deer from the fence at St. Mary's Cemetery.

The city's sole animal control officer, he is not always able to get there right away. Sometimes the animals, impaled and gutted, are already dead. Sometimes they are in extreme pain; he dispatches them if a police officer hasn't done so already.

"The deer come down from the cemetery, and they jump the fence to go to the other side," he said. "Since January, I've had about a dozen. It pretty much guts them when they get up there."

McDonough said he is trying to convince the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, which owns the cemetery, to remove the six-foot-tall fence."

Death trap for deer continue…

What do you think?

fivestring · Jul 8, 2003

They need a higher fence.

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 8, 2003

<font color="blue"> What do you think? </font>

I think it's a tough call. I hate to see animals hurt yet have an appreciation for maintaining a historic fence already around for over a century.

I definitely do not think any expense ought be borne by the fence owner nor do I think they should have to move or alter their fence in any way. I would hope there could be some way to get the deer to avoid the fence altogether. I also know that's often far easier said than done with animals.

On the other hand, the article stated this has been a boon year for deer population. Perhaps time will solve the problem. In a leaner year I would assume the problem is less severe. Sadly, this could be a part of 'thinning the herd' before winter comes and they starve. Nature is often neither pretty nor kind.

MossRoad · Jul 8, 2003

<font color="blue"> What do you think? </font>

Sounds like an overpopulation of deer in the area. Could be caused by several things... deer thrive in urban park-like settings; or maybe the deer have nowhere else to go but through the cemetery because there is no other route to connect areas for them. I wonder how many deer have been killed on the fence over the life of the fence? Would be interesting for them to start keeping accurate statistics for a few years.

itsmecindi · Jul 8, 2003

I'm assuming this is one of those wrought iron fences with the little arrow points on the tips? Seems like they could just run something along the tops of it like this TTTTTTT so that the deer could just slide on over. Even if it was just rebar or something. It wouldn't be pretty but it would be a lot better than a bunch of impaled deer. JMO

F350Lawman · Jul 9, 2003

What's the problem, at least the homeless will always be well fed /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

r0GuE · Jul 9, 2003

and mouse traps kill mice... same thing.
If it was killing bald eagles or grizzely bears (sp?), then maybe something needs done. Deer... who cares.

ok then build a wire mesh fence on govt property somewhere (even a few miles away) in a perimeter around the cemetary. But then a bleeding heart will say they can't migrate properly... Just as well.. then you tear down the wire fence and send the bleeding heart photos of the deer kabobs. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Egon · Jul 9, 2003

John:
The fence should remain. We tear down too many old things that provide us with a past.

A low unobtrusive fence on the inside that prevents the deer from getting a good jump start should stop the problem.

Egon

OverlyRun · Jul 9, 2003

John,

1. Stir up the ghosts in the cemetery and scare the deer.
2. Electrify the fence
3. When we were kids people went "parking" down by the cemetery....it attracted cops but kept deer away.

Historical senstivity aside, I would think some steps to reduce the hassle of removing dead deer would be in the church's interest...aren't parishoners likely to include those who care about slowly dying deer draped around the fence? Replacing the fence seems like a step too far, but it is hard to dream up another practical or effective solution. A moat?

Chas

kensfarm · Jul 9, 2003

Barbwire fencing catches them too.. my farm neighbor has a type of wooden ramp built.. not sure of the specific name.. but the ramp is on both sides of the fence.. gives the deer a place to cross over. The ramp is steep.. but I guess it provides a "hoof-up" when jumping over the fence.