28 July 2024, 11 a.m. 

Location: 22833 Fraser Hwy 

Deer Case Number: #531 

File Police Number: #La24-23919 

Officer Staley 

Critter Care Interns: Silvana and Cesca

A young male deer was hit by a car, and the Conservation Officer Service (COS) asked if we could go and euthanize it. Seven police officers attended the scene and shot the deer twice in the abdomen moments before we arrived, stating that COS had asked them to do so. I informed the police officers that the deer was still alive, but they laughed at me, saying, "Well, it is dying." I told them we could take it from there because they were all staring at us while I was sedating the deer. 

This may be difficult for some to hear: With proper training, the police would understand that if euthanasia is necessary, shooting an animal in the abdomen causes a slow and painful death. The humane method is to aim for the head to ensure a quick and painless end.

Heidi Chima-Weafer 

Staff/Critter Care Wildlife Society

As the Founder/Executive Director of Critter Care Wildlife Society, I find it appalling that our taxpayers' dollars go towards police officers who clearly need more training and are insensitive to our wildlife. Does it really take six or seven officers to attend to one deer? I also find it hard to believe that this is the image that our RCMP wants to portray to the general public.

Disgraceful!

Gail Martin, Executive Director