Neighborhood Deer Becoming a Nuisance

Deer frolicking across western Pennsylvania roadways is nothing new. Most drivers around here already know to scan the shoulders and hills in search of the wild animals that can cause serious damage to motorists and their cars.

Still, their courage to trot through area neighborhoods is becoming more of a concern for a few people living in and surrounding communities. And some of them blame it on their neighbors feeding the wildlife.

Lynda Nathenson brought forward a petition with 44 signatures from people living on Orchard Spring Road asking for to pass an ordinance that would ban feeding deer. She also produced information from Tom Rooney, a professor at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, that showed how feeding can alter an animal’s behavior.

“People think they’re doing a good thing because the deer are starving, and they’re not doing a good thing,” Commissioner Jim Walther said, adding that feeding can upset their digestive systems.

But the commissioners seemed split during their Tuesday night workshop meeting on whether to write an ordinance, send out information warning people against feeding or doing nothing.

Commissioner Tom Castello said he’s unsure how much of a problem feeding is and thought it would be pointless to pass an ordinance to limit something that is not widespread.

Commissioner David Jason acknowledged the township does not have any concrete evidence about how many people are feeding deer, but said it still is an important issue that needs to be addressed. He said that Allegheny County should probably be in charge of the problem because roaming habits supersede municipal boundaries.

Commissioner Dennis “DJ” Brooks said he thinks neighborhood deer are nothing more than migrating animals that travel around the South Hills looking for food. But Commissioner Bill Wells thinks there’s something else at work.

“I think it’s sex,” Wells said. “They’re running around for sex.”

Regardless of the reasons, Wells said the township should urge residents to quit feeding the deer rather than passing a law. The commissioners have no timeline on any decisions regarding the issue.

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