PETA takes Grand Forks to task for proposed deer herd cull
By Mona Mattei
Members of the international group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (best known as PETA) are calling on Mayor Brian Taylor to halt the plan for culling urban deer herds in Grand Forks.
The email campaign has swamped Grand Forks Mayor Brian Taylor whose council approved an urban deer management plan only weeks ago.
“I’ve had about 200 emails and climbing every day,” said Taylor who feels that the call to arms is premature. “I have written back – you have to look at the whole plan. The reduction of the herd is a dramatic move that would have to be preceded by some serious science and some serious work here. There are other communities that are further ahead with moving towards a cull than we are.”
PETA put out their call on Tuesday asking members to email or call Taylor about the proposed plans to trap and relocate as well as cull the local deer herd.
The letter to members was sent by Jodi Minion, wildlife biologist with PETA. Minion called on advocates to, “Please politely urge Grand Forks officials to refrain from trapping/killing animals and to stick with effective, humane deer control methods.”
PETA further commented that the proposed methods have not been proven to be effective.
“Despite being informed of the extreme cruelty inherent in these methods, officials have decided to allow them anyway. Netting/trapping deer is inhumane in all respects. Every minute spent entangled or trapped is a terrifying eternity for these easily frightened prey animals who can badly injure themselves in frantic attempts to get free,” PETA explained.
The deer management plan, approved by council in June, includes a variety of measures to be tested for effectiveness including birth control, trapping and relocation, and culling the herds to reduce the growing population. The plan cannot be acted on until further information is collected and funding secured, said Taylor.
Taylor has been busy responding to the emails that range from polite requests to uninformed suggestions.
“Some of (the emails) are polite, others are rude. One lady suggested that we just stop hunting cougars and wolves in the area and let the population balance itself out,” Taylor commented. “Most of them are not offering suggestions they’re just saying don’t do it, it’s cruel. Some of the threats were pretty rude too. Some of the veiled threats I didn’t appreciate.”
Local PETA advocates told the Sentinel that possible demonstrations may be in the works if council does not look at other deer management options.
“I’m now hardened in my ways more than ever,” said Taylor. “I’ve also been bombarded with local people saying ‘good on you that you’ve at least got a plan, you’re addressing it and looking at Grand Forks’ future.’ It’s not all negative.”
Grand Forks’ urban deer herd has been monitored for over six years by the deer committee and their results indicate that the herd is growing at a much higher rate than would be normal for deer in their normal habitat. The city passed a no-feeding bylaw earlier in the year in an attempt to educate citizens about the dangers of supporting wildlife. The committee also released an educational pamphlet in the spring, again, to assist local residents in understanding their role in the survival of the herds.
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