Chasing Deer

Every night I get to watch, from my living room window, a head of deer slowly graze their way from one end of a trail to another. They are beautiful, peaceful, and make me feel so happy when I watch their grace and innocence.

This trail is also used by humans (fine with me) who bring their dogs (fine with me) but they often let those dogs off their leash (not so fine). Last night, a couple was walking their dogs, off the leash, and one of the dogs spotted “my” herd and took after them, hell bent on doing what dogs do; chase other animals.

Problem is that a) the der were there first b) they were eating their dinner c) the chase included the deer having to run across a fairly busy street to jump a fairly high fence to get away from the canine.

I’m all for fair chase; but this wasn’t fair cause the RULE is that dogs should stay on their leash and not chase the local wildlife.

Through the grace of someone, no car was headed down the street at the exact time that the deer (seven of them total) and the dog were crossing.  No one died.

But they could have.

I raced outside to confront the couple, a nice looking duo in their mid-50s and said, WOW, did you see that? And, your dog needs to be leashed.  They would not meet my eye.  I can’t blame them, I’d feel bad too. It’s hard to balance the needs of so many. Their dog wants to run, they WANT the dog to run, and the deer want to eat in their home … which happens to be on a trail that we all use.

Sigh. I hope dog owners will keep their dogs controlled or on leashes. Deer should be able to eat and graze in peace…. or at least, not be harrassed by DOGS.  Wolves? That’s another story….