Man Tried to Save Deer in Frigid Lake Near Gifford Pinchot State Park; Faces Fines for Keeping it in Garage
OutdoorHub Reporters 02.05.19
A Pennsylvania man found himself caught up in a bizarre scenario after attempting to save a deer by warming it up in his garage. As the story goes, John Stoll Jr. received a call from a friend who informed him that several deer had fallen through the ice on a lake near Gifford Pinchot State Park. They were stuck in the frigid water.
By the time Stoll could get to the scene, he was greeted by personnel from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Wellsville Fire Department and state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Stoll assisted in leading at least three more deer back to land.
The deer had been stuck in the cold water for hours before they were rescued, and one drowned, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
On the opposite side of the lake, Stoll saw another deer being pulled out of the lake by rescuers and the fire department. When he arrived, he noticed the deer trembling with cold and offered to take the young buck back to his home to “warm up.”
“Nobody said I couldn’t take it,” Stoll said according to York Daily Record.
In a surreal video on Facebook, Stoll can be seen taking care of the buck by trying to keep it warm with blankets and petting it to settle its nerves, he even provided the deer with a pillow for its head – and I can’t help but wonder if he offered the deer a posturepedic or not, but I digress..
Here’s where things get tricky, though..
Regardless of showing signs of improving, the buck took a turn for the worse and died early the following day. Stoll then buried the deer.
However, that was not the only grim news Stoll would have to come to grips with. He was then contacted by a Game Commission warden who informed him he would be fined for taking/keeping the wild animal in his garage. According to the PA Game Commission’s website, “Wildlife taken alive may not be retained alive, sold or given away. Live wildlife may be relocated to a natural setting.”
Stoll was facing two fines for his actions, with one stipulating up to $800.
This case remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.
So, what do you think? Should he be fined for his violations, or should he be let off the hook since nobody told him he could’t keep the deer or came to retrieve it from his home?
