Try Kindness,

Not Killing

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter to The Bee because I am worried that what happened in Brookfield concerning deer hunting will happen in Newtown, too. Luckily, Newtown has the advantage of some prior publicity around this issue so the public is aware and can voice their concerns before a decision has been made.

I am always surprised when I hear that people who moved to a small town such as Newtown or Brookfield for the natural beauty have decided that there are too many deer and that these gentle creatures need to be eliminated. I continue to hold on to the hope that most people would choose kindness and gentleness rather than killing to solve problems such as this.

There is no proof that killing the deer actually reduces the cases of Lyme disease even though that has been put forth as the major option. Actually reducing the deer population creates more space in which deer from neighboring towns can live and it also tends to increase the number of healthy young that each doe has in the spring.

Everyone in this area is concerned about Lyme disease, but we will all have to continue to be vigilant when it comes to checking ourselves and our children for ticks whether or not there is a controlled deer hunt.

The residents of Newtown now have the opportunity to teach their children and friends in neighboring towns that kindness rather than killing is a viable alternative — both locally and globally. Take some time — avoid knee-jerk reactions — choose kindness.

Penny Schnell

2 Lambert Lane, Brookfield                                     December 9, 2008