This morning, April 29, the trial of Cammy and Rudy (deer) begins at the Lawrence Township Municipal Court in New Jersey.
Cammy Lowe, who is the owner of TLC Country Stables in Lawrenceville, discovered a newborn fawn alone in the woods next to its dead mother nearly eight years ago. 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 court.”
Lowe couldn’t just turn around and 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 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.
For nearly two years, the big hearted woman has been in and out of court.
Ironically, Rudy is no longer with Lowe, who said the dear had escaped some time ago. Despite the deer no longer on the farm, the state is prosecuting her for holding a protected, “potentially dangerous” species. If found guilty, Lowe could be facing jail and/or fines.
There has been wide public outrage. Animal lovers and rescuers oppose the state’s aggressive pursuit of this particularly compassionate rescue.
Since when is being kind in this situation now becoming a criminal?
According to state regulations, deer are labeled as a “Potentially Dangerous Wildlife Species” and are banned from being kept as pets. Included in the wildlife restrictions are squirrels, prairie dogs, alligators, crocodiles, bears, monkeys, ring necked parakeets, cobras and non domestic cats and dogs.
A GoFundMe link to help with legal expenses can be found by clicking here.
Update to follow.
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