An animal care facility in California is asking people to keep wildlife in mind while decorating their homes for the holidays.
The plea was issued Monday after an Animal Services Officer with Marin Humane responded to reports of a deer that had become become entangled in Christmas lights in the Marin County town of San Anselmo.
Jessica Needham of the nonprofit was not able to free the buck of its burden, but did take photographs to illustrate the extent of the entanglement.
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“Catching deer is extremely difficult and catching a buck is even trickier,” Marin Humane announced in a statement. “Our officers would have to use a control pole to get a handle on him, which leaves them open to the risk of being charged and injured. Luckily, this guy is still able to graze and run just fine.”
The group stated that it’ll continue to “monitor the situation” and expressed hope that the buck will become free of the lights when he sheds his antlers during the winter.
Lisa Bloch, a Marin Humane spokeswoman, told the San Jose Mercury News that the Christmas lights were likely strewn loosely around bushes or between trees in the rural neighborhood, “and the deer just walked into them.”
The group, which is not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement:
“This serves as a good reminder that when hanging holiday decorations, make sure they’re secure and high enough where they’re less likely to be an issue for wildlife.
“We’re lucky to share our space with so many animals so let’s be mindful of their safety, even when we’re getting festive!”
–Images courtesy of Jessica Needham/Marin Humane
