Monday, January 05, 2009

OREGON NEWS: Proposed Feeding Ban in Jacksonville

Jacksonville officials are considering a ban on feeding what one city council member calls "horned mountain rats," more commonly known as blacktailed deer.

If humans didn't feed the deer, state wildlife biologists say, there would be less overpopulation, disease and death in the herds.

Council member John Dodero says he favors an ordinance like those in Klamath Falls against feeding raccoons and in Philomath against feeding wild turkeys.

The new mayor, Bruce Garrett, says opinion is sharply divided.

Several Jacksonville deer have been found either dead or diseased — lethargic and foaming at the mouth — and were killed by wildlife biologists. One tested positive for a disease caused by eating corn, which deer can't digest.

Source: OregonLive.com

No comments: