It’s a rare story that takes off like the one involving Snowball the deer and her offspring Bucky.
I'm not quite sure where it will end.
Viewers have shown incredible passion about these two black tail deer.
As the reporter assigned the story Wednesday morning, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about the entire thing.
I suspected the animals were not well cared for and the conditions not the best.
I was surprised to find quite the opposite. Jim Filipetti and his long time companion Francis Mantei obviously love their animals---and seem to have worked hard to keep all their animals (they have 20 to 25 including dogs, pigs, llamas, turkey, cats, peacocks, pigeons and others ) healthy and living in what appeared to be good conditions.
Francis told me how she'd gone on the internet to learn what to feed deer when Jim first brought home the crippled little one they named Snowball.
While I was their, the family's 4 year old and their handyman brought over clipped apple branches to feed the deer.
It was the beginning of an emotional rollercoaster ride for everyone at the home on Wednesday. When we arrived---Francis was sad and angry and resigned to the fact the state was going to take both deer from their home.
Her daughter walked by and asked me in a very serious 4 year old voice why I was taking away her deer. I explained I was a reporter from the tv station---she was not impressed.
Around 1:30pm the state seemed ready to make a deal. They offered Francis a compromise. They would take Bucky…the year and a half old buck and see if he could be released to the wild. Francis seemed fine with that---although later Jim said he was not.
The state also offered to not seize Snowball..but instead let the family release the white deer on the family's property. It seemed like a perfect solution---until they delved into the details.
The family learned they could not contain Snowball in anyway. No fences, gates etc. could be used. The family didn’t think the doe would wander far, but then they realized they could not protect her from predators either.
They also read the document the state wanted them to sign, which included a provision to search the property at any time.
Suddenly they began envisioning their beloved animal being ripped to shreds by neighborhood dogs and they would not be able to do a thing. They were also told they could not take Snowball to the vet if she got sick---and state agents showing up when ever they wanted.
Jim Filipetti said--- no way.
Eventually the animals were drugged and taken away by state vets.
The family's four year old, who had been kept away at a friend's during much of the drama, returned.
She walked up and asked me---"did they take my deer?" I pretended I didn’t hear her. "Did they take my deer?" she insisted. I looked down at her and said, "yes they did honey." Why? She wanted to know---
It’s a long story.
And its not over yet.
Since people have been granted permits to have sanctuaries for exotic animals, wounded or sick animals, etc., I feel these people should be granted a permit to keep the deer since the deer are used to being there.
Releasing them to the wild would be very cruel to them and they would either fall prey to other animals or starve to death, especially now, coming into the fall/winter season.
The best thing for the DEER would be to leave them where they are.
cougar.tracks
Everyone appears to forget that snowball has been domesticated She is now a domesticated animal. Remember all dogs and cats were wild before they were domesticated by humans and I guess that includes cows, sheep,etc.
First off to the people that turned Snowball into the Fish & Wildlife Department, karma sucks, especially bad karma.
What harm has this family or Snowball done to anyone? This family shows their love and commitment to their deer by the time and money they've extended in taking care of this deer that more than likely would have died as an infant. Why not let Bucky run loose on the family's property. Who knows, he may find and mate and go off and live happily ever after. But as for Snowball, she would never survive by herself. AND it seems the F&W Dept. would want to put both out in the wild just as hunting season starts....hmmmm. Maybe
their budget is too big if this is their greatest issue.
Let's use some common sense here.
I think the two deers should get to stay with the family they had been bottle fed and to turn them wild would mean certain death. I don't know why the so called officials have to act in such an asinine way perhaps they are power drunk.
How heart-wrenching! The government may have its law regarding wild animals, but there is a greater power, if you believe as I do. In the book of Genesis, God created animals first. Then he created man and woman. He stated (Gen.1:26 & 28) that man was to have dominion over all the animals, care for them, if you will. Snowball was rescued by Jim Filipetti, cared for by him and his family, and cannot survive in the wild. These people are the rightful caregivers of this beautiful animal, a creature of God.
And those who would mandate killing Snowball rather than give him back to this family? This is a BETTER CHOICE? GOD FORBID!!!!!
The State Game Commission is simply going to wait until all the contrevirsy has blown over, THEN SECRETLY EUTHANIZE SNOWBALL AND BUCKY. They will then come up with some fantasy about a bear killing them, or they got sick and died.
As far as the person who turned the family in, he is a cowerdly,lazy, angry, hunter that did not get his way.
ODFW TOOK THOSE DEER FROM THE ONLY HOME THEY HAVE EVERY KNOWN. THAT FAMILY HAS TAKEN CARE OF THEM FOR YEARS AND HAS EVEN PROVIDED MEDICAL HELP FOR THEM AS WELL WITH OUT ASKING FOR ANY THING FROM ANY ONE!!!!
I don't recall anyone every being mauled by a pet deer.
Doesn't the State have other animal issues that are more presssing. Sorry you had to confront a four year old losing their pet.
As the Govt. (again and again) is so insistent on going `by the book' regarding wild animals, I suggest they hire all the State SWAT teams to congregate at the Portland Zoo and eradicate all those `wild' critters; sure would save the taxpayers a lot of money...and create a mass citizen riot. Under what sub-category has Fish & Game filed LOGIC? The people who turned this couple in should be sued for harassment and jealousy. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away from the idiots at Fish and Game!
I am so glad to hear that Snowball & Bucky will not be killed! I tuned in to the original news & missed any peliminary info that would have been useful to judge this situation. I heard nothing in subsequent news. However, I think the Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife seems not to have enough real issues to address. They should be ashamed for grabbing 2 innocent deer from a grieving couple who obviously were taking good care of them & only thinking about the deers' welfare. And threatening to kill them too! Just doing their 'duty'? Going by the book,eh? By the book?-2 deer killed only because the department is following their rules! What is the harm in letting this couple take care of these deer for the rest of their lives? I don't know how long they had the deer, but it looked obvious on screen that neither deer would survive in the woods. This couple rescued the deer!There ARE other black tail deer out in the wild the department should look after.
People rescue all kinds of 'exotic' or protected animals. There ARE other alternatives, such as a petting zoo, but this couple really love these deer. I believe they will take care of them. Surely they or others are not going to go out collecting other black tail deer, just these 2 (doe found injured, right?)
I've never entered a "blog" comment After reading others' comments, I'm even more convinced that what this department did was totally wrong.
Perhaps the Oregon legislature needs to review Dept of Fish & Wildlife's budget for next year for possible cuts, since the department only has this kind of mindframe/behavior to show as an outcome for their activities! I realize this department is a low priority for Oregon & probably has slid by for awhile. Oregon's best qualities include our wild native animals. Please look at what state departments are really doing for our tax dollars.
Perhaps the department needs to readdress their mission,issues,goals, & outcomes for the good of Oregonians. This whole event has totally nauseated me.
I wish the best for that couple who have animals' best interests at heart. And shame to the person who 'turned them in' & who has no compassion for animals, as I see it.
Please forward to Roy Elicker or whomever should hear these messages. I certainly hope the Govenor reads them all.
Today is Monday, and I am becoming increasingly alarmed, at the lack of Attention, being shined on this issue.When the story broke, last week, there were untold hundreds upon hundreds,, writing, calling, e-mailing. I spoke for 20 minutes with a Public Media Woman for ODFW and wrote the KGW lists of people with her, e-mail address, to write and state their case, and she was to take these in-to those who would decide. I worked and stayed up as did hundreds of others, for three solid days and nights. Finally I heard a Public statement that the Deer would not be euthanized, and that their was "every possibility" of at least returning Snowball to her family. Frankly, they should neuter the Buck, and give them both back. Today I read a formal statement from ODFW...saying once again all the diseases they are concerned with, and all the searching for the "proper Wildlife Preserve...yada, yada.What they might get on down the road, is not of any concern, right now...Ludicrous statements. and if Snowball could be returned as a possibility...they never had a case for removing these little Deer. I don't care if they are BlackTail or polka Dot, they are much loved pets, that are social-animals after these many years!I believe the law that states you may shoot a Deer, but not make a decision to care for a crippled Fawn, needs to be changed. Its nuts! I used to live in Mollalla and people out there, find Wild injured animals all the time, ones which they know good and well, will only be killed even if they could get someone from ODFW to respond! So, they take them in and love them. When Human's cannot even do an act of human compassion, we really are in trouble! Look what grief has been done to these Deer and the family who have cared-for them! I don't believe it is any govt. branches business to come onto private property and demand that healthy sweet Deer with adequate food, and Veterinary attention...be tranquilized while their limp little bodies are hauled away in front of God only knows how many crying children, watching the news hour. What an outrage. I am concerned at this point, because Barberose-(the hurt race horse) was being attended to and when the story died away, and time went by...we heard one day, he simply had been humanely euthanized, as he could not heal properly. The same with Keiko...He died one day, and we all grieved.
I am not at all convinced the little Buck was ever dangerous...as he found himself tranquilized and with strangers trying to cut off his antler's.I am sure he was not the friendliest guy in town, over all the trauma. and these nights, I keep wondering about the innocent mind of little Snowball, not understanding where her happy life surrounded with love,,, has gone.
Their has been a rare something that touched the hearts of so many...I belive it is our bent for Human Compassion, and for most people, a deep and abiding love and admiration for the helpless and trusting Nature of these beautiful, "Feeling" animals. What a travisty!
When Govt.has this kind of abuse of power, I sometimes wonder at all the Fearful websites that warn, we are indeeed racing towards a "Police State" and a One World Order, in which the individual has no rights. Why, why with a hundred meth labs on any given corner, Cock fights, Dog Fights...Child Abuse and cruelty on any given night...and when we could have viewed the little family who cared...we saw the little family punished...in the most cruel way possible! It's wrong!
I am looking for people and the news to keep the heat on, because if they do not...we will never see the day the Happiest of news stories could have been aired...that day would be live feed, of a reuninon for these Deer and their family, left back in Mollalla...and I for one had so hoped to see it!
Sharon J. Hopkins
Personally, I feel that both Snowball and Bucky should be returned to the Molalla family. Each has been loved by and become part of the family. The ODFW cut off Bucky's antlers, so even if he were released into the wild he would have no protection against predators. And having known only love from humans he would be an easy and sure kill for any hunters.
This whole thing smacks of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's greed for power and control, not for the welfare of these animals.
I suggest that if both deer are not returned by this time next week, Oregon taxpayers play their hole card the first part of 2008 by refusing to check the Nongame Wildlife Fund donation box on their Oregon State income tax forms.
OK...let's all calm down and take a deep breath...because the great white hunters who work for Fish and Wildlife need to be given time to assimilate their brain neurons/synapsis to understand the words NO', 'NADA',`GIVE IT UP', `RETREAT & REGROUP'. Poor Bucky...Gorilla Glue might work to replace his horns for protection. OR...they could bring him here to High Desert Estates...where we are not allowed to shoot and the deer are free to roam between our homes...or possibly Crooked River Ranch where he would have lots of protected company.
Get off your duffs (can anybody there make a decision???...Government again) and give Snowball back to her owners...enuf of this idiotic nonsense!
The Fish and Wildife service may say these two deer are animals of the wild, and should not be domesticated, for they will be ruined. What about Ferrets! Ferrets were never meant to be domesticated, and yet it is still allowed to sell them at pet shops as household pets! Personally, if these two beautiful deers had been mine, there would have been a standoff! Authorities would have only taken them over my dead body!!! I will pray this family will be reunited with their deer!
The Fish and Wildife service may say these two deer are animals of the wild, and should not be domesticated, for they will be ruined. What about Ferrets! Ferrets were never meant to be domesticated, and yet it is still allowed to sell them at pet shops as household pets! Personally, if these two beautiful deers had been mine, there would have been a standoff! Authorities would have only taken them over my dead body!!! I will pray this family will be reunited with their deer!
My aunt and I cant believe any of this. The deer have been at this home all their lives and now someone with to much time on their hands has done this to their little family. Bucky is skidish to people, he will be the first one shot this year. He has been fed, loved and cared for
by humans now you want to set him free, Shame on all of you, take him home and let them live a long and happy life. After 5 years of loving something/someone you want to step in and take that away. This family needs to be thanked for their loving ways,how they helped this deer.Snowball is probelly alive due to this family.. Shame on you whoever told on this family. Carrie Ruse and Kathie Moran
I hope OFD is happy with themselves! Bucky will not be able to survive without his horns and as previously mentioned, hunting season is right around the corner. I do have a suggestion for them though. Wildlife Safari in Winston would be an excellent place to turn Bucky. As far as the doe is concerned - were they concerned when she was found with deformed legs? They probably would have said, nature will take it's course. Now that someone has helped her and she is a beautiful doe, they were willing to put her down, rather let the family who spent money, time and love to get her to this point, keep her. She would be safe and well cared for.
I'm sorry that this was not picked up by the major TV stations and OFD made a fool of in front of the entire nation!
Who supervises these ODFW people? The governor? They should be fired for this waste of taxpayer dollars. These are not wildlife - RETURN THESE PET DEER - BOTH OF THEM - THIS IS THE MOST RIDUCULOUS THING I'VE EVER HEARD OF & I'VE LIVED 60 YEARS. Someone should find out who snitched - can't someone out there do that(?) and post their name on this website for all to see! That would be payback folks.
Why did ODFW remove Bucky's antlers if returning him to the wild was a consideration? Neuter the boy and give him back, along with his mother. And spay her too so this event does not play out again. Oregon taxpayers want to see the ODFW making good use of their time, i.e., tracking down poachers, etc.
While the ODFW certainly seems to have difficulty dealing with simple issues, I'm more interested in the person who kicked this whole thing off by calling in ODFW. I would really like to know the name of this idiot so I can make sure I never do anything to benefit him or her. Making him or her a social pariah would seem to be a fitting reward. MSNBC described them as "an estranged relative" - would that be a former wife?
Man, I thought Oregon was where the deer and the buffalo roam! Free!!If Snowball and Bucky are happy with this family, leave them alone! Give the animals the freedom to choose. I live in New Jersey for God's sake and in our neighborhood, we're allowed to have pet deer!
BOTH THESE DEER SHOULD BE PLACED BACK INTO THE FAMILY THAT RAISED THEM....NOW THE VET. STATES THAT "BUCKY" PROBABLY WILL NOT BE RELEASED INTO THE WILD FOR ANOTHER MONTH OR SO.......UM, EXCUSE ME, DO THEY WANT BUCKY TO DIE? IT WILL BE WINTER BY THE TIME "THE AUTHORITIES" RELEASE THIS PET DEER INTO THE WILDS AND HE WILL NEED TO FEND FOR HIMSELF, WHERE WILL HE FIND SHELTER, FOOD, AND LOVE? WHAT A SHAME THAT THIS INCIDENT EVEN EVER TOOK PLACE! WHY ARE THE "AUTHORTIES" NOT DOING WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR THESE DEER? THEY BOTH NEED TO BE RETURNED TO THEIR HUMAN FAMILY!..............
MARY: IN ALASKA....
This is so sad. Snowball should be sent home to the family that raised her. Hopefully, Bucky will be able to be released into the wild. I'm praying for a miracle for these two deer.
Take my advise and let the buck go. I being from Kentucky have also raised a pet deer (buck). I loved this deer a lot. October 1st, 2006 at the age of 2 years old, he snapped one day and I found myself in the hospital for four days. It was a very trying experience and rather not talk about it anymore. BE CAREFUL.
Thank you Pat Dooris and crew of Channel 8 for being THE compassionate and kind faces the day of Snowball and Bucky's removal from their loving home. You did an excellent job of accurate coverage. I was stunned when I saw all the State Vehicles (both OSP and ODFW). It looked more like a dangerous crime scene than an animal removal. I question the fact that while the state went to this same home approximately 5 months ago to check out the deer (due to the anonymous call), they wait until now to state that it was illegal for the deer to be kept captive. Did it take almost 5 months to decide it was illegal? These deer are not preditory anmials. Yes, I'm sure someone could be killed by a deer. On the other hand, people have been killed by pet dogs too! Common sense and priorities don't seem to have much of a place in most of our government agencies anymore. I realize there are good people who work for these agencies, but many who make these kind of decisions or rules are just plain lacking in common sense......
What is the latest on Snowball? I have not heard anything and am concerned that we are losing interest in this story and ODFW will not do the right thing because the spotlight is off of them.
I hear that they are turning Bucky out into the wild. And goody goody it's just in time for hunting season! How proud they must be! Confirming what I have alway I believed, that the Oregon Government has a huge God complex.
I think you should less one sided. Report all of the facts, that is what I am learning in journalism class in high school. Check out this "families" back ground. check out their neighbors, the doe was ripped from her Mom's side. They didn't find it along side the road. They didnt give it medical treatment since 2003. So why should they get this poor deer back? Because of the boo hooing of tree huggers? Get a grip. I'm 14 yrs old and know the way mother nature works. The doe should have never made it, there is a reason for that. That is the fact of life. Just like my sister never made it past 6 months in my moms tummy. She died. It's God's way. My Mom gave birth to a dead baby... It's sad, but it's life.
The directors at ODFW, and the Governor's office (by virtue of their not wanting to get involved in this case), are behaving disgracefully. Releasing Bucky, the TAME, pet deer into the wild, is ensuring his untimely death and the ODFW people know it. WE HAVE THE FOXES IN CHARGE OF THE HENHOUSE HERE, FOLKS! Releasing Bucky into the wild would be cruel, inhumane, base and intolerable. - Remember "Lucky" the tame elk, that was released?... He didn't last long in the wilderness, he was killed within a short period of time after his 'safe' release. - This Snowball, Bucky case is a special circumstances case & should have been handled accordingly, with respect & care for all involved...both the deer involved, the Molalla family & the caring public. This would be a vile, arrogant, immoral move on the ODFW's part to realease the deer - And, what a coincidence, just before hunting season!!! - Pulesse!!... WHY did ODFW NOT even try to find a suitable pet sanctuary for Bucky????? (That would have been a more acceptabble alternative.) I am extremely disappointed by the ODFW and their short sighted-ness, & dis-respect for others in this case. The ODFW needs to be re-vamped with a total housecleaning of their Directors & personnel involved in this case, as well as a re-assessment of their mission statement & their goals.
The ODFW has completely disregarded the public outcry. Why must they assert control and defy sensitivity for the wildlife? It appears that they want to do the exact opposite of what the taxpayers are behind just to maintain their egos... Where is the love of wildlife that I hear they have???? It is all a bureacratic power trip at the expense of these two deer!
ODFW has made a negative name for themselves. My 15 year old daughter is incensed and vows to "grow up and change the laws" and HATES the dept. I am a teacher and agree wholeheartedly with her. Why is there a limit on the permits? Who sets it, the #$%@ department? Do the taxpayers get a vote on it? Even though Bucky seems to be able to fend for himself, will anyone check up on him? Out of sight, out of mind? Not in our case. Sure he was "skittish" around the department personnel. My Chihuahuas are skittish around strangers too. I have nothing but contempt for ODFW and am glad that I have plans to move out of state. I can then tell everyone that OR has a lack of humanity. Actually, the people of OR have humanity since so many are angry about this situation. What a public relations fiasco they have created.
We should not forget about snowball. Just because the press and the courts try to bury the evidence of a wrong doing....we will not forget!!!! They will be sorry. This family has been through enough. Give them back their pet!!!!!
We should not forget about snowball. Just because the press and the courts try to bury the evidence of a wrong doing....we will not forget!!!! They will be sorry. This family has been through enough. Give them back their pet!!!!!
I have never voted on a TV poll before, but this story got me off the couch, and to my computer to sign up so I could vote. I simply cannot believe that the authorities would take Snowball away from the people that saved her life and have kept her happy and healthy all these years. Where is the logic? I think this is tragic!
From what I understand about the licensed facility that Snowball is going to... the The Rossee Posse... it's not a pet sanctuary, it's a commercial elk farm, they raise elk, to butcher them. Is this to be Snowball's eventual fate also?? - The ODFW is a cruel, heartless agency that needs to be reigned in. CONTACT YOUR STATE REP ASAP, and ask him/her to intervene in this sad case.
The action of the ODFW is OUTRAGEOUS. It is obvious from the public opinion that they have not made the correct decision. They should have simply licensed the family to keep the deer and returned it to them where it had been for the last six years. How much unnecessary expense has the State been exposed to because of narrow minded bureaucrats.
What a bunch of whiners.
Why don't you all thank ODFW for upholding the law.
Those people broke the law and should be punished.
What next? Shoplifting is okay if you have no money on you?
Selling drugs to our children is okay if they are over the age of 10?
Get real and find something else to do with your time besides harrassing the people at ODFW for doing their job.
I am completely FOR Snowball's first owners getting her back. If there was someth I could do to help, I would. They are her FAMILY and this is being VERY CRUEL to the deer !!
There is a lot of bad info. in these comments. First and foremost ODFW is doing what Oregonanians have asked them to do; that is enforce the laws that govern our use of wildlife. So, they can't be wasting taxpayer money, they're doing their jobs. Second, it is most likely that the money going to support the enforcement of these laws comes from hunting and fishing license fees. You see ODFW gets nearly 50% of it's budget from the fees paid by hunters and anglers. Only 5% of their budget comes from Oregon State Taxes.
If you don't hunt or fish then you have very little to say about how ODFW spends my money. The money I gladly give them. If they want to raise my license fees so that they can better enforce the game laws in Oregon, I will happily pay more.
I would be very happy to know how much of a fine these law breakers had to pay and whether or not I can expect any compensation for their illegal use of our wildlife, probably not.
The decision of the ODFW not to return Snowball to the family who loves her is unconscionable. They could certainly use revenues in better ways than to hurt a loving family and emotionally damage their children. The deer has a disability, and an exception could have been made. I feel sure that were it not for media coverage, the ODFW would have put Snowball down rather than back down one little bit. Sometimes the letter of the law is not the right thing to do, and exceptions are made every day. As to the comment of the deer hunter-fisherman that those of us who don't choose to take the lives of animals for sport, have very little say about it; ALL Oregonions have a right to express their opinions about what goes on in our state. And the majority of the people polled were in favor of leaving Snowball where she was doing perfectly well with the people she had become bonded to.
Thank goodness for the Oregonians that have given ODFW its marching orders. In 2002 and in 2004, during a public input process, Oregonians let ODFW know that the number 2 priority for the agency should be better enforcement of game laws. That is exactly what ODFW has done. Now, if you don't appreciate the fact that they have done what we asked them, than during the next round of public hearings, you should let it be known that enforcing laws isn't really all that important. Perhaps a list of laws to enforce along with a list of laws to be ignored would be helpful.
Though I of course appreciate the occasional human interest story, this story is now taking up valuable space which should be filled with issues more important to the public at large. For instance, measure 37 (now trying to get fixed with a yes on measure 49) is threatening to alter the face of this state yet there is only an occasional mention of the story. How can that be? I do, however, know every hiccup in the Britney Spears, Kevin Federline romance courtesy of local and national news. Crater lake is about to have development with some kind of industrial plant on 150 acres because of measure 37. We have developers buying off farmers to put subdivisions, we'll have access to our public beaches blocked by the proposed development on coastal property. Have you ever lived in the East and experienced not being able to get down to a beach because of all the abutting private property? It's like taking the sun or the sky from the public. Where are our news reporters to deal with the story in an in-depth way so people understand the real issues. Please, more than sound bites. Expose the people that are in the no on 49 commercials worried about losing their "retirement". No, they have large claims to put subdivisions where the local areas do not have the infrastructure, etc.to put them. We are being duped and our investigative reporters are not there to ferrett out this information and present it to the oregon public. We are counting on you. Please give the people of ORegon what they deserve. Thanks for your work.
It is illegal to dump a pet cat or dog along the roadside to fend for themselves, yet this is just what the ODFW did to Bucky. Snowball is now caged up which the ODFW said the Mollala family could not do. What is worse, Snowball will now have no contact with people and probably separated from the elk so they won't hurt her. What a bad ending for a pet to endure. The ODFW just made a bad name for themselves across the border in Washington State...and I hope across the nation. They could still turn this around by issuing the family a permit to keep the deer. What a small thing to do to please the public they serve.
Though I of course appreciate the occasional human interest story, this story is now taking up valuable space which should be filled with issues more important to the public at large. For instance, measure 37 (now trying to get fixed with a yes on measure 49) is threatening to alter the face of this state yet there is only an occasional mention of the story. How can that be? I do, however, know every hiccup in the Britney Spears, Kevin Federline romance courtesy of local and national news. Crater lake is about to have development with some kind of industrial plant on 150 acres because of measure 37. We have developers buying off farmers to put subdivisions, we'll have access to our public beaches blocked by the proposed development on coastal property. Have you ever lived in the East and experienced not being able to get down to a beach because of all the abutting private property? It's like taking the sun or the sky from the public. Where are our news reporters to deal with the story in an in-depth way so people understand the real issues. Please, more than sound bites. Expose the people that are in the no on 49 commercials worried about losing their "retirement". No, they have large claims to put subdivisions where the local areas do not have the infrastructure, etc.to put them. We are being duped and our investigative reporters are not there to ferrett out this information and present it to the oregon public. We are counting on you. Please give the people of ORegon what they deserve. Thanks for your work.
I have been in contact with Brenda Ross of the Rosse Posse Elk Ranch, and after talking to her, I found out a few things I'd like to share. I went to the website and e-mailed her originally so I could find out more about where Snowball would probably go. These are good people, and as it turns out, they offered to take Snowball in order to be close enough for her family to visit. The only other place that volunteered was in Douglas County. Snowball is a piebald deer, and the piebald gene often causes deformities such as cataracts and deformed limbs. Bucky also has the gene, and that is why he was sterilized before he was released. He was released in the Bull Run Water Shed area where there is no hunting. Should the family not prevail in court, Snowball will be well cared for and have a lot of human contact. They are also going to try to get her to bond with one of the goats, so that she has an animal friend. Brenda is very open to e-mail and answers questions if you write to her. I was glad I did. I still don't agree with the decision, but short of returning her to the family who raised her, I think this was the best decision. Charlene Choate
What I can't figure out is why did they take the only defensive protection away from the buck when they knew from jump the ODFW was going to set him out into the wild?
I can understand the nuetering as nobody wants a bad gene passed on intentionally. But. come on...Sawing his antlers off? I wonder who at ODFW got those to make some nice handgun grips out of for free? Or maybe like they did Jesus when they sentenced him to death...maybe the people at ODFW drew lots to see who won them huh?So much power but no intelligent brain to power it.When did they take the fair and just out of justice?I know that the ODFW uphold the law but everyday there are deals being made by lawenforcement and badguys to "give them 3,go free". I'm sure something this meanial as leaving someone their beloved pets, could of been worked out in a deal of some kind. Oh but then again, maybe since thete was nothing that was worth anything except the antlers on ole bucky and very little meat for butcher sale on lil miss snowball there wasn't enough profit in it for the good ole ODFW dept. ah? I think this is the most misguided outlandish behavior by a Goverment runned agency I have ever seen!And believe me I've seen alot of them.Maybe we should take a few of the ODFW people strip their clothes off of em set them "free" and see if they can survive out in the wild huh?... ODFW just give them their baby,Snowball, back!Live up to your oath you took when you became law enforcement agents...to Serve,honor and obey... be humane,honorable,upholding the law,is suppose to be served with compassion,truth,and dignity. ,there are exceptions to every rule.Make me proud, to say I am an American!
For the past several evenings, we've noticed a buck in our neighborhood that is partially albino like Snowball. He might be a couple of years old as he has a forked set of antlers and otherwise appears to be in good condition. I wonder if there is a group of these deer in the NW? I live on the Straights of Puget Sound and am used to seeing deer in my yard but this is the first time to see one like this.
The following was writen by my Boyfriend who is serving in Iraq!....
i just want to take a moment to comment how relieved i am that snowball the deer was returned to its family. In between kicking iraqi children, and opressing the clearly innocent iraq local citizens, most of us have been following the Snowball the deer story and battle very closely. When we heard that Snowball the deer was captured by the evil government empire who is hell bent on causing war and raising taxes (and rumors of cutting health care!! *eeekkk*), we all over here in Iraq were very worried. After all, Princess Snowball knew the location of the seceret rebel alliance base. However, once the rebels obtained the plans of the local Clackmas Death Star where Snowball was being imprisioned (cell block D "royal prisoners ward"), an all out attack could be launched to rescue Princess Snowball before the evil government empire could do unspeakable horror to the Princess. That horror being something so evil its hard to say or type it. But being a brave soldier i am, i will say it. The empire was actually going to release Snowball into the wild!! (Lord forgive me for saying that.) And we all know wild animals do not belong in the wild, they need to be under our care and protection. So with the Clackmas Death Star plans in hand, and led by Judge Eve Miller with the newest x-wing fighters, the empire had not a chance in hippi hell of keeping the beloved Snowball.
Thanks for listening!!!!
This was writen by my Boyfriend who is stationed in Iraq....
i just want to take a moment to comment how relieved i am that snowball the deer was returned to its family. In between kicking iraqi children, and opressing the clearly innocent iraq local citizens, most of us have been following the Snowball the deer story and battle very closely. When we heard that Snowball the deer was captured by the evil government empire who is hell bent on causing war and raising taxes (and rumors of cutting health care!! *eeekkk*), we all over here in Iraq were very worried. After all, Princess Snowball knew the location of the seceret rebel alliance base. However, once the rebels obtained the plans of the local Clackmas Death Star where Snowball was being imprisioned (cell block D "royal prisoners ward"), an all out attack could be launched to rescue Princess Snowball before the evil government empire could do unspeakable horror to the Princess. That horror being something so evil its hard to say or type it. But being a brave soldier i am, i will say it. The empire was actually going to release Snowball into the wild!! (Lord forgive me for saying that.) And we all know wild animals do not belong in the wild, they need to be under our care and protection. So with the Clackmas Death Star plans in hand, and led by Judge Eve Miller with the newest x-wing fighters, the empire had not a chance in hippi hell of keeping the beloved Snowball.
Thanks for listening!!!!