Feral Deer Euthanased After Crash

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday August 9, 2007

By MICHELLE HOCTOR

THREE deer led police and a shooter on a chase through the streets of Fairy Meadow yesterday, before one was hit by a car and had to be destroyed.

It comes as the region's authorities meet to determine how the problem of feral deer can be combated.

Yesterday's alarm was first raised at 5am when staff of Aldi supermarket reported three deer on the Princes Hwy were causing traffic problems.

Wollongong Police attended, first calling the National Parks and Wildlife Service for help, then the Illawarra Sporting Shooters Association after being told the NPWS could not use a firearm outside a national park.

Leading Senior Constable Graham West said police were unable to cull the deer because their weapon, a Glock, was not strong enough.

"The weapons we carry ... only knocks them out. A heavier weapon is needed," he said.

Illawarra Sporting Shooters Association president Ali Ambs said the biggest problem at this time of year - the rutting season - was stags fighting for premiership of the herd.

"They tend to get a bit silly. Under normal circumstances they would not come here," he said.

Three deer were later found in the yard of Campbell's Cash and Carry, Fairy Meadow. At 11.45am two stags fought their way through a hole in the fence and raced toward the Princes Hwy with two police vehicles in pursuit.

The third backed up and around Mr Ambs, running west before escaping on to McGrath St.

Bellambi father-of-three Max Sheehan was driving south to visit family when one of the stags ran in front of his car on the highway.

Traumatised by an accident 12 years ago at Penrith when a child ran in front of his car, sustaining moderate injuries, the 47-year-old said being confronted by the deer was like a nightmare returned.

"I saw a shadow and at first I thought it was a person," Mr Sheehan said.

"I hit the brakes and held straight. I knocked it flying but it got up and took off. It was pretty traumatic. I'm just glad it wasn't a person."

The collision caused moderate damage to Mr Sheehan's 1986 sedan, while the deer ran into the Horseland premises.

Suffering severe head injuries, the deer was transported by bobcat back to Campbells, where it was destroyed.

On McGrath St, the third deer ran onto private property before hiding out in the backyard of a home in David Cres. It escaped towards the Illawarra escarpment. The remaining deer was last seen heading north along the Northern Distributor.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home