After four days, the Colorado Division of Wildlife captured a wounded doe in Elbert County. But to the devastation of a community that has been involved, she was shot and killed about 1:30 Sunday afternoon.
Nicknamed “Miss Doe,” the 2-year-old deer was pierced last week with a hunting arrow that penetrated her nose, throat and neck.
DOW officials said when they were able to get near her Sunday, they found the wound had become increasingly infected and, as a result, decided to shoot her.
“The Division of Wildlife does not advocate the suffering of animals,” said Jennifer Churchill, a DOW spokeswoman. “We acted in her best interest.”
Jack and Lori Cavanaugh, who let DOW use their home as a base while trying to tranquilize the doe, said the crew usually arrived by 6:45 a.m. to set up in their living room. The herd shows up from 7 a.m. to about 7:15 a.m. On Sunday morning, the DOW crew arrived at 7:30 a.m., well past when Miss Doe would be there.
That led some community members to think DOW had intentions to kill her rather than save her.
“Lori’s taking it pretty hard,” said Jack Cavanaugh of his wife, who was so devastated, she would not speak about the deer.
“I’m trying to keep things in perspective though,” Jack Cavanaugh said. “When one of the guys came in, he was close to tears, and they had tried to tranquilize her for days.”
Doug Gieseke, a nearby neighbor, said he also thought they did not attempt to tranquilize her Sunday. He said after DOW officials shot her, they immediately put her in their vehicle and drove away.
“They said they could smell the infection, but they wouldn’t let us get near,” Gieseke said. “I know it’s an animal, so they won’t do an autopsy or anything, but I saw her this morning. She was still feisty.”
Churchill said the community’s reaction is understandable.
“They’ve adopted this deer herd, and it’s upsetting, but we did as much as we could,” she said.
Cavanaugh said he plans to put up wanted posters at local pet stores, hoping someone will step forward and admit to shooting the doe.
“I hate to think it could be one of our neighbors who did this,” he said. “We respect that hunting serves a purpose, but this type of action is uncalled for.”
It has not been determined whether the deer was shot by a licensed bow hunter or was a poaching case. Cavanaugh said the arrow does not have identifying markings.
Churchill said officials will investigate the case. Anyone with information should call the Division of Wildlife at 303-291-7227.
Miss Doe will be buried on DOW property.
Sally S. Ho: 303-954-1638 or sho@denverpost.com
