Strange sounds in my back yard last night, snorts and guttural grunts.
Never heard anything like it before. A young deer had became
trapped, hopelessly tangled in wire garden tomato cages. It was
thrashing around, attempting to free itself, and in obvious distress.
I called the Wake County Sheriff's Office for advice and assistance. I
wanted to release the animal if possible. If it had been seriously
injured (broken leg) it should be put down.

Two patrol cars arrived. The easy route would be to shoot the
unfortunate animal. One bullet, case closed. These two officers were
brave and kind enough to immobilize the deer, allowing me to cut the
wire with bolt cutters. After a few seconds the deer stood up and
bounded off in to the woods, frightened but intact.

My thanks to Sergeant Byrd and Deputy Gray for their effective and
humane approach to a potentially hazardous wildlife situation.


Daniel B. Martin