Share The Knowledge

On Deer Management

To the Editor:

In numerous letters to The Bee and in the December 15, 2008 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Newtown’s residents have strongly voiced their opposition to the proposed killing of our town’s deer, which has been offered as a solution to Lyme disease and a host of other problems. Unfortunately, this newspaper and the anti-deer forces have attempted to downplay the voice of the public as a mere “emotional” outcry standing in the way of scientific reasoning.

The irony here is that scientific studies have shown that hunting won’t work to control Lyme disease or successfully reduce deer populations over time.

In an effort to share this knowledge and data with the community, and to promote solutions to human-deer conflicts that are safe, effective, and humane, The Animal Center proudly joins the WildlifeEducationCoalition.org.

WildlifeEducationCoalition.org is an independent, newly formed group of concerned citizens dedicated to solving wildlife conflicts through education.

WildlifeEducationCoalition.org’s goal is to engage the community in intelligent discussions about deer to help generate effective, long-term solutions that will offer the best outcome for all involved. This includes taking animal protection issues seriously rather than dismissing them as irrelevant, “emotional” concerns. The welfare of our town’s animals, and the ethics of wiping them out, should be a meaningful consideration in the analysis of community matters, and the burden of proof should be on those who favor destroying wildlife.

Sincerely,

Monica Roberto President, The Animal Center

PO Box 475, Newtown                                             December 31, 2008