MI Reverses Plan To Euthanize Blind Deer After Public Outcry

A visually-impaired fawn, who was going to be euthanized, will instead be moved to a facility where native animals are kept for educational purposes, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said.

The wild fawn had been living at a Michigan wildlife center, but officials said it needed to be released into the wild by Oct. 1. This is because the fawn needs time to reacquaint itself with food resources before winter arrives.

If deer are held past that deadline, officials said they are typically euthanized because they would not be equipped to survive the colder months.

"Fawns and other white-tailed deer are native species of wild animals that belong in the wild. They aren’t meant to be pets," DNR Deputy Public Information Officer John Pepin said. "If they remain in rehab facilities beyond early October and are later released, they won’t be able to survive in the wild over the wintertime."

Typically, all live animals granted to live at a wildlife center need to be permanently injured or non-releasable animals. Officials said this is a case in which the fawn can be moved to a facility rather than humanely killed due to its disability.

The permit was granted by DNR specialists after a veterinarian, who examined the fawn and approved it for an educational setting, officials said.

The DNR's decision came after a public outcry in support of fawn, who was named Peanut by the Detroit Animal Welfare Group.

The group said state officials had initially rebuffed efforts to move Peanut into a rehab facility because the request came after Sept. 15.

"Something is not right when people have to fight against the government to save the lives of animals," the organization posted on social media on Oct. 14.

Peanut will be moved to the Howell Nature Center to serve as "an educational ambassador," according to the group.

Michigan lawmakers also urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to stop Peanut from being euthanized.

"Peanut's life is at risk due to a bureaucratic technicality — a missed deadline for an education permit application that is not clearly stated in any regulation," a letter read from Michigan Rep. Angela Rigas office.

The letter received bipartisan support.