Dedham Police Officer Rescues Baby Deer Wednesday Morning

DEDHAM, MA - Dedham Animal Control Officer Deni Goldman rescued a day-old fawn Wednesday morning after receiving a call from a security officer of a local elder residential complex who originally found the deer on the side of the road.

According to police, staff members of NewBridge on the Charles, a retirement community affiliated with Hebrew Senior Life and Harvard Medical School on Great Meadow Road, were able to corner the fawn and hold her until Goldman could come to her aid.

Goldman said she suspected that the fawn had been orphaned by her mother and had been alone for several hours.

"This sweet fawn was found waiting for her mother, who sadly never returned for her," she said. "She is just one day old."

In this case, Goldman said it was appropriate for the staff members to call the police because "she was truly orphaned." She suspected that the fawn had been alone for about 12 hours.

"This case serves as a good opportunity to remind folks that more often than not, young wildlife should remain where it is found," she continued. "Wildlife officials say, 'If you care, leave it there.''

According to the Humane Society of the United States website, mother deer are wary of human smells. They tend to forage for food and return to their young a few times a day. If a fawn is lyitheng on its side, wandering or crying, it is best to call an animal control officer.

Goldman assessed the fawn's condition and transported her in a carrier to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to be delivered to "one of the organization's top deer biologists," where she will receive treatment until she is capable of returning to the wild.

"The biologist states that the fawn will head straight into a rehabilitation center [Wednesday] afternoon," Goldman said, "and that while she may not ultimately make her way back here to Dedham to live, her chances of a healthy and natural life are excellent."

One of the biggest concerns Goldman expressed is that wildlife should never be fed because it could "lead to irreversable harm."

"Well-meaning people often unknowingly separate babies from their mothers," she said, noting they could "put a young animal’s health in danger when intervening in a wild animal’s natural process of being reared and growing up. "

"Illegally raising deer fawns greatly reduces their chances of survival," according to a National Wildlife Federation blog. "It is difficult for an untrained person to provide a quality diet and captive care, and due to a hand-raised deer’s lack of fear of humans, these animals are more likely to be hit by cars, killed by dogs, or shot by hunters. "

"Young wildlife cared for by humans often end up attached to those humans with little fear," added Goldman. "This can lead to animals wandering into populated areas, an increased risk of encounters with domestic pets, and being hit by cars. Feeding animals may also make them less conscientious of predators, which can cost them their lives."