State Capitol Police Officer “Adopts a Deer”
December 8, 2008
Photo by N&O
While many might find the story of the police officer and the button buck as touching feel good story I find it extremely disturbing. Wild animals should stay wild and I see nothing positive to come out of an unnatural relationship between humans and wild animals.
“Buck-ee! Come on, boy. Daddy’s here!”
Then, in the falling darkness of late afternoon, a fawn emerges, picking through the brush on coltish legs — heading right for the grizzled cop.
Muller rubs the young buck’s head, pats his flank and fluffs his white tail. The two even run and play together. When Muller heads to his car, Bucky follows, cocking his head.
Apparently abandoned shortly after birth, Bucky has been adopted, after a fashion, by Muller and a few other members of the State Capitol Police force.
“I’m in love with this little guy,” said Muller, who doesn’t want the animal’s exact location near downtown Raleigh revealed for fear some “nutcase” will come and either kill or capture the deer.
N&O
I think we can see who the nutcase is in this story. I’m willing to bet that if this was the average citizen that was taming wildlife that NC Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement would step in and put a stop to it but Officer Muller seems to have professional courtesy.
Until last week, the men said, they never brought Bucky so much as a kernel of corn. And it’s plain from the way the deer interacts with the men, this is not a relationship built on bribes.
“He’s got plenty of food right here,” Muller said, pointing to Bucky nibbling on leaves and nipping the ends of branches.
Muller, who often drives from his home in Selma on his days off to visit the deer, runs sprints with Bucky. Muller’s wife plays hide and seek with the deer around a tree. “In a screwed-up world, this is one thing that is pure,” Muller said. “I go home happy every day.”
Maybe if you want a critter to run and play with you should get a dog and leave wildlife alone.
I agree with Evin Stanford the biologist that someone has handled this deer before if the stories these officers tell are to be believed.
deer biologist Evin Stanford, with the state Wildlife Resources Commission, finds it hard to believe that Muller and Johnson are the first humans to have contact with the fawn.
“Something doesn’t add up here, especially if they weren’t using food to lure him out,” Stanford said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t raised by humans and released to that spot.”
I realize that in the age of Bambi & Free Willie I maybe in the minority in finding this a disturbing story. To make this even more alarming is the officers planning to clearly violate state law by transporting or moving this deer to another area.
They’ve talked about trying to relocate him to a nearby herd, but they know all too well how many urban deer end up dead on roadsides. They have also considered having Bucky removed to a wildlife preserve where hunting is not allowed.
But the mere thought of losing the little deer makes burly, brash Muller choke up. Like any parent, he knows someday he’ll have to say goodbye. But when Bucky trails him with bottomless brown eyes to the parking lot, it’s hard enough for Muller to climb in the car and go.
State law does not allow the transportation of deer because of the risk of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease. I hope NCWRC looks into this story and takes actions to protect the state’s wildlife and let the State Capitol Police go back to protecting the Governor and the many statutes downtown.
Post by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
[...] Vote State Capitol Police Officer “Adopts a Deer” [...]
I think that is a nice story but, they also have to realize that buckie is going to grow into a buck and his temperment is going to change.
[...] Vote State Capitol Police Officer “Adopts a Deer” [...]
[...] Vote State Capitol Police Officer “Adopts a Deer” [...]
[...] Vote State Capitol Police Officer “Adopts a Deer” [...]
[...] Vote State Capitol Police Officer “Adopts a Deer” [...]
[...] with the local wildlife officer about the specific situation. We also recently had the case of the Police Officer that was petting a deer and eventually moved this deer on his own which I believe was a clear violation of current laws [...]