On Monday, the state unexpectedly agreed to drop its two counts of possessing wild animals against Deyo, who lives with her two deer and four rescued raccoons on a farm just outside Mount Vernon.
“We’re thrilled to death,” said Deyo. “What a perfect Christmas gift.”
Deyo was charged by the Ohio Division of Wildlife on Jan. 22 with possessing wild animals, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. A Mount Vernon Municipal Court judge was scheduled to rule on Friday on a motion from the state to force Deyo to turn over her deer — one named Trooper, who had lost a leg to a mower, and Patch, who probably had been hit by a car — and the raccoons.
Deyo’s attorney, Phil Lehmkuhl, called her on Monday and said that Mount Vernon Law Director Chip McConville had offered a settlement. It was filed with the court yesterday.
McConville said he was contacted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources late last week. “I was asked by the charging agency to negotiate a conclusion to this, so I did,” he said.
Calls to ODNR seeking comment yesterday were not returned.
Under the settlement, Deyo is forbidden from taking in more wild animals. She also agreed to withdraw her requests for a wildlife educator’s license from ODNR and a captive-deer propagation permit from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Deyo’s case drew widespread attention from animal lovers around the country. Her Facebook page, Saving Trooper, had more than 8,000 users, while her petition to save her animals had garnered more than 15,000 signatures. Deyo said she had planned to submit those petitions at the Ohio Statehouse this week.
“I took the attitude that we had to win this some way or other,” said Deyo, 66. “We have to teach children compassion. It’s normal for humans to want to help things to heal. You can’t take that away.”
Deyo said she plans to use the deer for educational purposes. She wants to install a web camera in the barn and invite classroom visits.
(Columbus Dispatch - Dec 18, 2013)
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