Baby Fawn Stuck in Fence Rescued by Oregon Police Officer

A police officer in Oregon rescued a baby fawn wedged in a fence on Aug. 30.

The rescue took place in Eugene after a passerby walking with her children reported seeing the small deer stuck in a picket fence in the backyard of a house.

“You’re okay. We’re going to get you out of here,” said Shawni McLaughlin, an officer with the Animal Welfare unit of the Eugene Police Department, told the fawn.

The fawn had tried jumping over the fence and landed between the boards, reported the Oregonian.

McLaughlin was able to free the fawn using gloves and a towel. Video footage captured by the officer’s body camera captured the encounter.

The animal appeared confused after initially becoming free, lying on the ground for a few seconds. After a few moments, the fawn was able to get up and go on its way.

A fawn became stuck in a picket fence in Eugene, Oregon, on Aug. 30, 2018. An animal welfare officer was able to free the fawn. (Eugene Police Department)

Reactions

A number of social media users reacted to the video.

“Yeah! Good job officer!” said one Facebook user.

“Hey, I know her. Good work!!” added another.

“Thank you!” added yet another.

Deer in Oregon

Deer populations are present in most of the United States, and Oregon is no exception.

There are four types of deer in the state, according to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife: white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, mule deer, and Columbian white-tailed deer.

The black-tailed deer is small, darker, and “frequents dense, early seral forest communities,” the department stated. “The most distinguishing feature of the black-tailed deer is the tail. Although not as long or wide as that of the white-tail, it is much larger than that of the mule deer.”

The mule deer, like the black deer a subspecies of the Odocoileus hemionus, is the larger member and has long ears and a short tail. “Mule deer occur throughout Oregon east of the Cascade Range, and in summer, they range into the Cascades. The deer rest by lying on their chests and bellies with legs tucked under. Mule deer are able to detect danger at long range, and when danger is detected they may hide, move away stealthily, or flee,” the department stated.

White-tailed deer is the smallest cervid in Oregon and has the distinguishing feature of a long,wide tail. The tail is typically visible, especially when the deer are startled as the animal raises its tail when surprised.

The department added: “White-tailed deer, when flushed, travel by graceful strides interspersed with leaps. During flight, the tail is held erect and wagged gracefully from side to side. In general, white-tailed deer tend to be active crepuscularly, but activity is affected by humidity, barometric pressure, human disturbance and other environmental variables. White-tail deer tend to be gregarious, with groupings usually being matriarchal or fraternal.”

From NTD.tv