A state officials says that are at the tail end of the result of somebody who didn’t leave wildlife to be wild.
(SALEM, Ore.) - It is possible that a Molalla family will be allowed to keep a deer that they raised, that word follows a press conference that was held today at Oregon Fish and Wildlife Headquarters. Nothing however has been set in stone or ink at this point by state officials.
Rick Hargrave, the Information and Education Manager for ODFW, says Director Roy Elicker is exploring all options, and one of those is returning the deer to the family.
"When we go in and get wildlife we find that they have been treated very badly," Seagrave said. "From all outward appearance these deer were treated well but they are still being checked out by our vets."
He says that whatever decision is made, state fish and wildlife still has to consult with Oregon State Police and veterinarians, legal professionals.
Elicker says the deer will not be euthanased.
"The original compromise was reached with the family that the buck would be returned, there were concerns from the owner; at that point OSP had to take care of the law."
Seagrave says the bigger picture is that they don’t want to establish a precedent that other people would then use to also illegally possess animals.
"We’re at the tail end of the result of somebody who didn’t leave wildlife to be wild," he added.
As far as a timeframe, he says the ODFW director is hoping to have resolution next week.
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