Moving day for Carmel the friendly deer

TOWN OF ONEIDA - After nearly a year of sticking close to a Town of Oneida neighborhood, Carmel, a tame one-year-old doe, is slated to be given a new home, but leaving can be tough.

"A lot of deer around but they don't stick around like this, this is amazing," said neighbor Karen Englebert.

Neighbors within a mile have become familiar with Carmel, who acts more like a dog than a deer. The doe helped to create a neighborhood bond.

"Oh she has brought neighborhood together. Everyone knows everyone now," said Englebert.

But Carmel is closest to resident Robin Johnson, who nursed it to good health last summer. And saved her from sure death from a DNR warden with a gun.

"Originally I did plan on putting her down," said Mike Young, the DNR Conversation Warden.

He was following up on a complaint of a deer eating expensive plants. That neighbor didn't want to go on camera, but says while she can appreciate the friendly doe, it just doesn't belong roaming the neighborhood.

"She's been with me since August looks at me like I'm her mother," said Robin Johnson.

Carmel is definitely comfortable here. Receiving attention everywhere she goes, and allowed to go just about anywhere.

But for safety reasons the DNR worked out a plan to relocated Carmel to the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay. There she wouldn't get into neighbors plants, and would be safe from passing cars that don't even make her flinch.

"I don't want to see her go but if she's going to be safer I'm happy at least I can go see her whenever I want," said Johnson.

"Let's pray this works," said Johnson, holding a few fresh berries, trying to coax Carmel to a kennel. Then with a little push made it all seem easy.

"It was very easy with her help she's used to deer and the deer trusts her and stuff," said Johnson.

But saying goodbye is never easy, and about two blocks away Carmel had second thoughts about leaving one sanctuary for another.

After breaking out of the cage, conservation warden Mike Young was forced to let her out of the back of his truck before she hurt herself.
All involved were shaken from the experience, but the DNR is determined to try again with a stronger crate, while Carmel just wanted to go back home.

A couple hours later, Young was back with another, stronger kennel. And with a little help grabbing the deer, Carmel made a safe ride to the wildlife sanctuary.