John Bendel responds...

A pro-deer constituent of John Bendel's sent an email to the commission last week. John's response arrived yesterday. I believe residents have received a similar response from John Bendel in the past.

Dear [Resident],

Thank you for contacting me and the Commission and sharing your views regarding Mt. Lebanon's deer management program. I understand that you are opposed to the decision made by the Commission to implement a cull to reduce the number deer in the municipality. I know how passionate you are about this issue and I appreciate your thoughtful outline of ideas. Many of the items you list we have already implemented.

Since I took office in 2012, I have received more complaints about deer than any other issue. The complaints include concerns about deer-car accidents, Lyme disease, fear of deer, aggressive deer behavior and gardening issues. There are strong opinions on both sides - and what we should and should not do. At Commission meetings we have frequently heard antidotal reports from residents and municipal staff concerning deer related incidents, the growing number of deer in the municipality and the number of deer related accidents. 

In order to help the Commission make informed decisions, we began to collect data and assess our options. The municipality began tracking the number of police reports involving deer-car accidents. The first full-year data was collected in 2012. During 2012-14, reported deer-car accidents averaged about one accident per week and have increased from 43 in 2013 to 58 in 2014, a 35 percent increase. In addition to the reported accidents, the number of reports received by the Police Department and calls to Animal Control related to injured/dead deer in roadways and yards have increased as well. For context, the number of requests for dead deer pick ups has doubled from 48 in 2008 to 106 in 2014.

To help ascertain the number of deer in Mt. Lebanon, the municipality  conducted two ariel surveys in 2013 and 2014. The surveys are imprecise, but provide insight into the size of the herd at a point in time. The surveys counted 342 in 2013 and 193 in 2014. Obviously, the survey results vary widely, which is likely due to the methodology used (one-day flyover) and the deer migration in/out of Mt. Lebanon. Two deer experts have recently estimated the number of deer in Mt. Lebanon at 400-500. Because there are no nature predators in Mt. Lebanon and abundant food, the deer population will continue to grow year over year. The PA Game Commission estimate that the number of deer can double every 2-3 years.

Without intervention, the number of deer will continue to grow and likely so will the number deer related car accidents. We have been fortunate that a serious or fatal injury hasn't happened in our municipality in a deer-car accident. From my viewpoint, the likelihood of a serious accident continues to grow every year due to the increasing number of deer. As an elected official concerned about public safety and a father of two young drivers (one who recently had a deer run into the side of his car), this a serious issue, and it is my responsibility as an elected official to address matters of public safety. 

In early 2014, the Commission established a goal to reduce deer-car accidents by 50 percent over the next five years. This goal gives us focus and will guide our decisions as we move forward.  Achieving this goal requires a multi-pronged approach. Using information collected and advice from experts, t he Commission has taken multiple actions over the last three years related to deer management, which are summarized below:

- Created a dedicated page of information on the municipal website related to deer management at  http://mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?NID=2114 This site contains driving safety advice to avoid deer accidents, gardening tips and a variety links to information/research on deer related topics

- Police department began tracking deer-related incidents in late 2011 to create a baseline for comparison purposes and to identify areas with high deer-car accidents. The database informs us where accidents are occurring and when

- Passed a "no deer feeding" ordinance in 2012

- Posted multiple deer warning signs, using our database, throughout the municipality near areas of high deer-car accidents

- Conducted forums with deer experts in June 2014 and June 2015, both were recorded and are available on our municipal website

- Conducted two ariel surveys to count the deer population in 2013 and 2014. These surveys provide insight into the size of the herd at a point in time and will permit the municipality to track changes in the number of deer over time

- Completed a deer management plan (Plan) in November 2014, which is required by the State of PA prior to issuing a permit to manage the deer population

- Contracted with Sandy Baker, Deer Management expert and former consultant to the Humane Society, in spring 2015 to conduct a series of educational meetings on deer proofing gardening techniques for residents. Ms. Baker presented her findings and report to the Commission and it is posted on our website

I have supported each action listed above and will continue to support continuing these and similar non lethal actions. There are a few additional non lethal items the Commission will consider as we move forward. However, I do not believe these actions alone will achieve our goal to reduce deer-related car accidents.

The decision to support a cull was difficult for me and one that I didn't take lightly. After considering the situation in Mt. Lebanon and our alternatives, I support our multi pronged approach to deer management, including reducing the deer population, primary out of a concern for public safety. 

For the reasons indicated above, I believe this is a serious public safety issue, and it is my responsibility as an elected official to address matters of public safety. Not to do so would be irresponsible. 

Thank you for sharing your views with me and the rest of the Commission.  

Regards,

John Bendel