The deer cull issue will not go away despite attempts by the CRD to brush it under the carpet.
Mayor Nils Jensen seems to be open to taking another look at council’s decision to proceed with the random killing of 25 deer. This letter is to encourage Jensen to provide informed leadership by listening to qualified biologists, the SPCA and the public.
Firstly, I have not seen any supporting arguments for a random killing of 25 deer from an unknown population brought forward by any qualified naturalist. In fact, I have read several reports stating that given the transient nature of Oak Bay’s deer population, deer from other jurisdictions (Saanich, Victoria) will come into our neighbourhoods to fill the void.
Further, a “cull” suggests targeting a subset of the overall population (does, bucks, fawns, sick or injured). The current proposal is to kill 25 at random. It doesn’t make sense to me, unless the overall objective is to kill the entire population.
The SPCA has gone on public record that clover trap/bolt gun with throat slitting follow-up is not humane at all.
If the number of deer is to be reduced, I would like to hear what humane options are available to do so.
Finally, the public needs to support whatever informed decision our representatives may make. Perhaps a referendum on the issue during the 2014 municipal election would allow us all to have a say.
Glenn Driscoll
Oak Bay