On Thursday, June 11, a New Jersey stable owner, Cammy Lowe, was convicted of three charges for keeping an orphaned fawn in her care without a permit.
Lawrence Township Municipal Court Judge Sancinito found Lowe guilty of illegally harboring an orphaned deer, Rudy, and keeping a potentially dangerous species without a permit. According to the N.J. Fish and Wildlife Commission, a hand-raised deer can imprint on humans and become dangerous – especially bucks with antlers during mating season.
The background story of Cammy and Rudy began eight years ago. Cammy Lowe, the owner of TLC Country Stables in Lawrenceville, discovered a newborn fawn alone in the woods next to its dead mother. Lowe called around to every wildlife rescue in the area, but no one would take in the fawn. She was told to leave the defenseless orphan in the woods, and “let nature takes its course.”
Lowe couldn’t walk away; the fawn was cold, crying, hungry and scared. His mother was dead, and there would have been no way for the newborn to survive. So, Lowe brought him home, named him Rudy and made him his own spot in a separate area of a warm barn, quietly caring for him.
For years, she cared for Rudy, and no one bothered her or the deer; that is until someone trespassed onto her property more than two years ago, took a photo of Rudy and subsequently reported her for keeping a wild animal.
And now for the last two years, Cammy Lowe has been involved in a court battle.
When the state arrived at the farm to confiscate Rudy, Lowe reported the deer had escaped from her barn some time ago. The state had offered her a plea deal to surrender Rudy and just be fined $100, but Lowe maintained Rudy had fled.
Although the court did note that Lowe acted out of kindness, the court states they are obligated to follow the law.
Lowe is scheduled to face sentencing next month and could face fines or potential jail time.
A GoFundMe link to help with legal expenses can be found by clicking here.
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