Help for injured deer

A friend has seen an injured deer on her street in West Orange. One of his hind legs is partially missing and what’s left of it looks infected. She has been in touch with Animal Control and they say that if they come out to get the deer, the deer will be put down. Is there any other option? Is there anyone who would be able to help an injured deer? TIA for any leads I can pass on. 


Unfortunately, I don't think there would be many other options if the leg has that many issues.

Places like Fur finder could probably point you in the right direction - not sure if they would handle this:

https://www.furfindernj.com/


jamie said:

Unfortunately, I don't think there would be many other options if the leg has that many issues.

Places like Fur finder could probably point you in the right direction - not sure if they would handle this:

https://www.furfindernj.com/

Thanks for that link! Will share that. In searching “wildlife rehabilitator” it seems that most services are for small mammals but I was hoping maybe someone had experience with helping a deer.


Just leave the animal alone please. In most cases they will heal a broken leg. Getting the town out there to chase the poor animal will only make the situation worse. Nature takes care of itself, we are too often too eager to help and end up causing more problems. 


Jaytee said:

Just leave the animal alone please. In most cases they will heal a broken leg. Getting the town out there to chase the poor animal will only make the situation worse. Nature takes care of itself, we are too often too eager to help and end up causing more problems. 

But the leg is not just broken but ‘partially missing’ and infected. 

Putting it down might be the more humane way to go here…


Scully said:

But the leg is not just broken but ‘partially missing’ and infected. 

Putting it down might be the more humane way to go here…

By infected do you mean it had open sores?


The pictures below are of a doe with a leg that she carried over her other leg. I appeared to have some open sores. She was a regular in my yard and was well accepted by other deer. Over many months she put it down periodically and could walk even run on it. The last picture from the back is her fairly straightened leg and she is often in the company of the handsome buck. A friend at the further end of Wyoming told me she remembers seeing such a doe.

A friend, who is an ACO was sent a picture of a deer in horrible condition. She explained it is something deer can contract and often overcome.

If you can snap a picture I'll send it to her. I trust her opinion. Or, you can send it to a wildlife rehabber who can just share an opinion

Most ACOs do not deal with wildlife. I found a deer dead in my yard once and was told I had to hire a private company to remove the poor animal.


Morganna said:

Scully said:

But the leg is not just broken but ‘partially missing’ and infected. 

Putting it down might be the more humane way to go here…

By infected do you mean it had open sores?


Just quoting the author 


I was guessing about the leg being infected based on this photo I’m attaching. I should have included it in the original post. 

Morgana, thanks for the offer to share a photo with your friend. This photo is from mid-September. I’m not sure if the deer has been seen recently.  I’ll try to get an update.


mmh said:

I was guessing about the leg being infected based on this photo I’m attaching. I should have inclufed it in the original post. 

Morgana, thanks for the offer to share a photo with your friend. This photo is from mid-September. I’m not sure if the deer has been seen recently.  I’ll try to get an update.

I don't think it is infected. That leg is similar to my little doe neighbor. And check out this big boy's foot. They seem to manage with leg injuries. As they are not predators it doesn't pose as many challenges. And as a cat rescue my circle of friends and I always deal with feral cats that have severe injuries. I have one who has half of a back leg. She runs up the staircase with great speed. 

Thanks for your compassion.



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