Neighbors upset that officer shot deer in view of children

SOUTH MILFORD, Ind. (AP) — Neighbors who befriended an apparently abandoned deer are complaining that the animal was shot by a state officer in view of children.

WNDU-TV reports that the deer was tame, approached residents and let them pet her. But a Department of Natural Resources officer noticed unnatural behavior and feared the deer was diseased.

DNR officials say the deer approached children playing in a park Sunday and followed them home. The officer told children to go to their homes before he tied the animal to a vehicle bumper and shot her in the chest.

Neighbors say children viewed the whole incident. They plan to file a complaint.

DNR says it’s illegal to care for a wild animal without a permit. Such animals should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator.