Oregon Will Appeal Return of Molalla Deer to Family

The deer have been in the news over the last several weeks, it looks like a victory for the family could be short lived.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Attorney General Hardy Myers today announced that the State of Oregon will appeal yesterday’s Clackamas County Circuit Court ruling that the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife must return a deer to a Molalla couple.

Myers says Oregon statutes provide that no one other than ODFW, or one of its licensees, may lawfully possess wildlife, including deer.

“We believe this deer is the same under the law as any property police may seize from a person who cannot lawfully possess the item,” Myers explained. “The logic of the court’s ruling is that police could be compelled to return stolen property or other property to people who are not entitled by law to possess it. The impact of the ruling potentially extends beyond this wildlife case.”

Under Oregon law, it is illegal to remove wildlife from the wild or hold wildlife in captivity without permission from ODFW. The deer had been taken from the wild and held by a Molalla couple at their home without ODFW’s authorization until Sept. 12, 2007 when Oregon State Police, acting under authority of a search warrant, took the animal into state custody. Yesterday’s ruling came after the couple filed a motion in court seeking return of the deer.

“This ruling may make it more difficult to protect fish and wildlife against unlawful taking,” said Oregon State Police Captain Walt Markee. Markee heads the Oregon State Police’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Unit.

“While the focus has been on one doe, the ruling significantly affects management of all Oregon fish and wildlife,” said Ron Anglin, ODFW’s Wildlife Division Administrator. “We are concerned that this ruling opens the door to people removing wildlife from the wild. If a district attorney chooses not to prosecute, an individual will simply get the animal back. That’s not good for Oregon’s wildlife,” Anglin said.
Source: Oregon Attorney General

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Steve, Beavercreek October 28, 2007 3:19 pm (Pacific time)

This whole mess is not about the animals we have been entrusted to care for. It is about absolute power which corrupts absolutely. "We the people......" should be changed to "We the rulers...."

Vic October 28, 2007 1:20 pm (Pacific time)

Good point, Bob !

Bob October 28, 2007 12:07 pm (Pacific time)

If a License is needed to be legal, why not issue one to these people and get on with important things.

rjerryc October 28, 2007 7:52 am (Pacific time)

What is wrong with Hardhead Myers? I guess all he could find was minor criminals to prosecute that would not put his name in the headlines so he went for the high profile terrorize Oregonians game. This is not a deer that can ever be placed in the wild again. What harm will be done if these folks retain the deer? How will the keeping of this animal harm any Oregonian? Compare this "no victim" crime with the crime Hardhead Myers should face for wasting our money on such ludicrous cases as this one. Hardhead Myers needs to get a life and stop trying to live other peoples lives. Read all the comments here and listen to the comments of everyone who knows this issue and it's easy to see that Oregonians want Hardhead Myers to leave the deer alone and chase down some real criminals that are a threat to all of us. I haven't seen a picture of Hardhead but I'd almost bet that he has four legs, long ears and says "Hee-Haw" as his opening statement for everything.

bamboozler October 27, 2007 7:14 pm (Pacific time)

Mr. Myers is doing what we pay him for, playing God with the law. The jerk!

Neal Feldman October 27, 2007 12:37 am (Pacific time)

I, too, agree, this was an utter waste of taxpayer resources and all govt folk involved should be wholly ashamed. Ah well...

Vic October 26, 2007 7:21 pm (Pacific time)

I agree ..Hardy Meyers should have to pay the cost of the appeal , and if the deer is repossesed, the cost of raising it and caring for it for it's entire life. I think Hardy Meyers needs to be returned to the wild. He needs a new job in the real world where people have to pay for things with their own money.

Sue October 26, 2007 4:49 pm (Pacific time)

I am with Michael. Why should the Oregon Tax Payers have to pay all if this.

Michael - Salem October 26, 2007 2:28 pm (Pacific time)

I would like to know how much money has and is being spent on this on-going...very high-profile case of which the Tax Payers are paying for. The Judge ruled that the couple gets to get the deer back...so why should the State "Tax Payers" of Oregon have to appeal the ruling from the Judge. If A.G. Hardy Meyers wants to appeal...then he should foot the bill.

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Oregon Will Appeal Return of Molalla Deer to Family

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