'Friendly deer' gets a second chance

TOWN OF ONEIDA - Neighbors in the Town of Oneida have rallied around a tame doe and given her a second chance at life.

The Swenson family oftentimes sees deer and other wildlife roam into their 10-acre spread. But one wild visitor keeps coming back.

"There's definitely other deer here and plenty of wildlife. It's quiet and I think she's very comfortable where she is," said Darci Swenson, about the deer that has taken up residence on her property.

First spotted in the area last summer, a doe, affectionately named Carmel by those in the neighborhood, continues to make friends, becoming more and more comfortable with the people and the surroundings.

"When we're playing baseball she would just be laying over there by that tree watching us," said Seth and Jared, two of the three Swenson children who have regular contact with the doe.

When FOX 11's crew showed up to check out Carmel, the friendly deer, it took only minutes for her to come to us.

"We've just taken every day with her here as a blessing and this is just amazing she's still here," said Darci Swenson.

Carmel likes to hang out with the Swensons' kids and their horses, getting into any leftover feed, and some neighbors like to offer treats to the doe, but like deer do - Carmel sustains herself by eating vegetation - eating a neighbor's expensive plants and a complaint to the DNR brought them out.

"Most of the concern revolves around property damage," said Jeff Pritzl, a wildlife supervisor with the Department of Natural Resources.

Pritzl says in addition to the plant destruction, when the doe begins to mate it could change its tame demeanor. So when they're called to check on such a wild animal, the outcome isn't good.

"In every case the end result is the animal gets put down. So it's not in the best interest of the deer for us to befriend them to the point they're becoming like pets or livestock," said Pritzl.

"I went out there and stopped them," explained neighbor Robin Johnson.

Johnson may have saved Carmel twice. Once last September when she says she nursed her to good health and again now with the DNR.

"I thought, why take her down? She's not doing anything wrong," said Johnson.

The DNR doesn't usually allow the relocation of wild animals but in this case worked out a deal to place Carmel at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary .

"I think it's a great opportunity for her to be safe and to be well cared for and spend the rest of her life, and we'll be able to go visit her," said Darci Swenson.

Others will now get the opportunity to visit too, although it's certain the neighborhood here will likely never see such friendly wildlife again.