The following statement was released by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Friday, regarding the two deer seized from a Molalla family:

SALEM, Ore.- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Roy Elicker reiterated at a news conference this morning that the black-tailed deer removed from a family home in Molalla will not be euthanized.

“We are exploring all of the options,” said Elicker during the news conference at ODFW Headquarters in Salem. “One of those options is returning the doe to the family. Euthanasia is not one of the options being considered.”

The animals are currently in the care of state wildlife veterinarians. The veterinarians are assessing the animals’ health. Tests have been taken to determine whether they have diseases that may be harmful to them or other wildlife. Results are expected sometime next week.

The deer’s abilities to survive in the wild are also being evaluated by wildlife experts. If the deer can survive in the wild, the state may release them. If not, officials will look at other options to care for the animals, including care in a licensed facility or return to the family. The decision will be made after a full assessment of the deer’s health and of legal options available.

“The law is clear. It is illegal to hold captive wild animals. The law was put in place to protect the health and safety of wildlife and the public,” said Elicker. “Within the limits of the law, we are looking at all options that have the best interest of these two deer and wildlife.

“We do understand the feelings of the family and the public. Caring for wildlife is at the heart of everything we do,” added ODFW Director Roy Elicker. “However, we have a larger responsibility and have to ensure that our decision is in the best interest of wildlife.”

Oregon State Police, working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, took the deer from a private residence on September 12, because one was illegally taken from the wild and both were being held captive illegally.

9/14/07 STATEMENT BY ODFW DIRECTOR ROY ELICKER:

I want to reiterate that these deer will not be euthanized. The deer are in good condition, under the care of our wildlife vet. Tests have been done on the deer to determine if there are any diseases or other health issues. Those results will be available sometime next week. In the meantime, the deer are being well taken care of and we looking at all options. Euthanasia is not one of those options.

We do understand the feelings of the family and the public. Caring for wildlife is at the heart of everything we do. However, we have larger responsibility and have to ensure that our decision is in the best interest of all wildlife.

Part of that responsibility involves public safety. The buck in this case has reached sexual maturity and is aggressive and poses a potential danger to the family and the public. We talked to the family about this and thought we had worked out a compromise. Unfortunately, the agreement didn’t happen and OSP enforced the law and the animals were placed in our care.

The law is clear. It is illegal to hold captive wild animals. The law was put in place to protect the health and safety of wildlife and the public. We are following the law.

Within the limits of the law, we are looking at options that have the best interest of these two deer and all wildlife.

The following updated statement was released Thursday afternoon by The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife:

SALEM, ORE. - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon State Police removed two black-tailed deer from a family home in Molalla yesterday, and placed them in a secure facility under the care of licensed veterinarians.

"We want the best for these animals, and we empathize with the family that had clearly grown attached to the deer," said ODFW Director Roy Elicker. "We are working toward a good outcome for the deer, because we share the family's concern for them. Caring for wild animals is at the heart of everything we do, and we appreciate the concerns that so many people have expressed over these deer."

KGW photo

The secure pen where ODFW is keeping Snowball.

Oregon State Police, working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, took the deer because one was illegally taken from the wild and both were being held captive illegally.

According to standard procedure, veterinarians have begun assessing the animals' overall health, testing them to determine whether they have diseases that may be harmful to other wildlife. After assessing their health, veterinarians and other wildlife experts will evaluate the deer's ability to survive in the wild. If the deer can survive in the wild, the state will release them.

"These are, after all, wild animals," Elicker added. "If they are able to survive in the wild, we owe them the opportunity to live in their natural environment, as Mother Nature intended."

If one or both deer cannot survive in the wild, the department will do everything possible to locate a legal facility that has the skills and ability to care for the animals in captivity, Elicker explained