I am a member of the committee that took on the job of informing city hall of the deer problems that we are having in our 55-plus park.
We took the time to do a lot of research, with the government websites and other sites, gaining information about the problems with deer in other locations around our beautiful province.
We investigated the possibility of harm to residents in regards to diseases transmitted by deer feces, ticks and a muscle-weakening disease that has been documented. We took a survey of our residents and asked them their opinion and their comments on the cost of the deer devastating the gardens, plants and flowers that they plant to feed themselves fresh vegetables but also beautify their places of residence. The support for a cull, or of some kind of removal was overwhelming with well over 90 per cent of homes backing the principal that something has to be done.
We will be keeping this issue on the front burner of city hall, and maybe we should have a count done in our park, or have the owners report on a daily basis the number of deer that are present in our park. The amount of feces off our residents’ property results in buckets and maybe we should deliver this feces to some of the people who do not live in our park and ask them to dispose of it. Or ask them to spend their time every day cleaning up after these deer and to give us a hand as we are all getting tired of it.
We use our place as a community and have events that are good for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of our facilities. This is a worry now because of the bacteria level of our lawns and green spaces, grandchildren that visit are exposed to this bacteria also and this is a concern.
We understood the day we decided to take on this project that all would not agree, but to say we are arrogant and ignorant is not a true, but insulting comment that I will take as an insult to me and my family. Let us not be so convinced one way or the other until questions are asked, and conversation takes place on what we are doing and why.
The injured and sick deer that we see in our park is a shame and should be dealt with.
Bob Cannon
Penticton