New York, NY - December 16, 2016 - The following is a statement from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Spokesman Sean Mahar (2:29 PM):
We offered yesterday to take possession of the deer and transport it to a suitable habitat. The City did not accept our offer until just before noon, and while we were arriving on scene the deer died in the City's possession.
The following is a statement from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Spokesman Sean Mahar (12:55 PM):
After repeated attempts to provide the City with alternative options to euthanasia, including relocation, the state is securing the safe transport of the deer to suitable habitat upstate in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Unit.
The following is a statement from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Spokesman Sean Mahar (11:00 AM):
We want to do everything we can to save the life of the deer. To that end, we have told the city that the feds or we can transport it upstate today.