On Monday evening, the commission will be voting on lethal and non-lethal methods of deer "management"which include sterilization, archery, and trap and bolt. Information on trap and bolt was provided by others. I can't even look at that stuff. PLEASE write to commissioners and attend Monday's meeting and try to stop these lethal methods of deer "management." I will not be able to attend the meeting since I will be working. Kristen Linfante, who once described herself as the "lone wolf" on deer culling, knows how I feel about this issue.
The commission's goal is to reduce car accidents by 50% in five years. Interestingly, the municipality stopped tracking deer-vehicle collisions when the numbers indicated a decline in
this final 7/31/14 report. The municipality is back to showing deer "incidents," which include deer sightings.
Mt. Lebanon commissioners take steps toward deer management
Mt. Lebanon revises plan to thin deer
Game Commission would prefer Mt. Lebanon hunt deer
Sterilization
Deer sterilization is a non-lethal method of deer management. Grant money is available for deer sterilization, which was not reflected in the costs posted by the PG. Sterilization is being done in other states with much success. If the Game Commission approves sterilization, we will be the first in the state to have such a program.
Archery
Archery will be done in daylight hours. Just as I had seen a buck with an arrow in its side walking around on MacArthur on Election Night, this will be a common sight for all. During a recent commission meeting, I asked if Bethel Park had an obligation to contain their deer within Bethel Park while they shot their deer. The answer was no.
Clover Trapping Deer
Please click on URL link below to view a short video that gives an example of the intense stress, panic, and struggle that deer experience in a clover trap.
(I won't watch this.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XezJJNzg3nY
Clover Trapping and Shooting Deer
Expert Testimonial
Laura Simon, Wildlife Biologist, The Humane Society of the United States -
Excerpts from Letter to Mt. Lebanon Commission, Nov. 6, 2012
While it may sound humane to live capture deer in this way and then euthanize them, the reality is quite different. First of all, deer are extremely stress-prone animals with a highly developed flight response. Once captured, deer tend to panic and "bounce off the walls" in response to being captured and restrained. Their fear level is compounded by the lack of visual barriers, which allows them to see oncoming threats but lack the capability to flee. ... Any effort to safely and humanely kill deer captured in a clover-trap will be arduous and potentially dangerous. The stress levels of deer in a clover trap approached by humans can be huge. Some deer will lie down and try to become invisible, but others will repeatedly charge all the sides of the trap, making a lethal shot extremely difficult at best. ... And of course pistols, like all firearms, are susceptible to ricochet and misfire, which raises additional humane and safety issues. There are various protocols which can be used for capturing and killing deer in clover-traps, yet all have high potential for inhumane outcomes. ... For all these reasons, the HSUS does not recommend the use of clover traps for live-capturing and euthanizing deer. ... T
Capture and Bolt Killing of Deer
EXPERT TESTIMONIALS
Jack Schrier, the NJ Fish & Game Council
The U.S. Veterinarians' Association has stated publicly that net-and-bolt is not appropriate for use in the field. If this loathsome slaughterhouse killing method is employed in any town, it will debase that town and its good people.
Allen T. Rutberg, Ph. D., School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
My personal opinion ... is that netting & bolting free range deer is at best difficult to carry out humanely and at worst is brutally cruel. Because the practice localizes responsibility for killing with specific property owners, it also stirs up personal animosity among members of the community. Again in my opinion, the potential for animal suffering and the elevated animosity generated by the practice outweighs any benefits that might be achieved by deer population reduction.
Peggy W. Larson, DVM, MS, JD
[Trap and Bolt] This is a very inhumane way to rid yourselves of excess deer because of the extreme fright experienced by the deer and because the captured bolt does not effect a clean kill when the animal’s head is not immobilized. ... If a wounded deer escapes the netting, a resident of the town could be injured and the town held liable. Anyone watching this violent procedure or even knowing about it certainly would find it unpleasant and some may find it emotionally traumatic, especially children. Bait, net and attempt to kill is not a humane solution.
John W. Grandy, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of The Humane Society of the United States
The Humans Society of the United States (HSUS) is committed to preventing needless pain and suffering to all animals. It is cruel to attempt to euthanize a wild animal with a captive bolt gun because the animal will suffer needlessly and terribly. There is nothing remotely humane in this process.
Laura Simon, Wildlife Biologist, The Humane Society of the United States
HSUS Letter to Mt. Lebanon Commission Opposing Clover Trap and Kill, 11/6/2012
I am writing to object strongly to your town’s plan to use trapping and the captive bolt as a management tool for white-tailed deer. The HSUS is committed to preventing suffering in all animals. We firmly believe that it is impossible to ensure that this technology is used correctly and consistently enough in the field to provide a humane death to deer. Captive bolt guns are designed for use on restrained domestic animals in highly structured and controlled environments. Even there, the "humaneness" of these devices has been called into question. These guns were not designed for use on wild animals under any circumstances, and certainly not as a management tool for white-tailed deer.
Clover Trap Capture and Bolt Killing of Deer
After the deer are trapped in a clover trap a hired contractor collapses the trap on the deer and attempts to steady the deer while another contractor fires the bolt gun -- a 4 inch retractable steel rod -- into her skull. Since the deer are inadequately restrained and are strong and heavy, they frequently manage to move. The bolt-gun is then misfired into their eye, jaw, ear or nose. The contractor must reload the bolt gun before trying again. Death from the bolt-gun is often not immediate, adding more prolonged suffering to already terrified animals.
The Reality of Net and Bolt Killing of Deer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=neOr8F8c6as
An explosive charge propels nets over a group of deer, tossing them in the air and ensnaring them. They thrash around, crying out in fear and panic as they are shot in the head with metal bolts. (Undercover footage by SHARK)
The above Net and Bolt youtube video was a S.H.A.R.K undercover investigation to expose animal cruelty. You can see the original video, background info. and veterinarian testimonies who viewed these videos regarding animal cruelty at the S.H.A.R.K. URL link below. We urge you to review the veterinarian testimonies.
Net and Bolt
http://www.sharkonline.org/index.php/deer-rocket-netting
Update November 21, 2014 6:16 PM The deer management plan is available for viewing on Monday's agenda. A few fast ones by our tricky experts: The plan discusses sharp shooting even though Manager Feller, Dave Brumfield, and John Bendel stated that they are opposed to sharpshooting. Second, the Municipal Deer Control Permit is to include both lethal and sterilization, NOT file two separate permits. Finally, we are NOT to assume that there are 500 deer.
That was a number that Kristen and Tony DiNicola came up with during a telephone conversation. There was no aerial survey conducted.
