A curious deer with the word 'pet' spray-painted in bright orange on its sides was spotted in a Pennsylvania community, leaving locals and authorities alike intrigued. The Cornwall Borough Police Department shared the story on Facebook, detailing how a friendly antlerless male deer approached a business in West Cornwall Township, Lebanon County, on Saturday. The deer's sides were adorned with the word 'pet' in fluorescent orange paint, a unique and eye-catching feature. The police officer who encountered the deer noted its calm demeanor, as it seemed to want to be petted and didn't flee when the sirens were turned on. The state game warden arrived to take a report, suggesting that the deer was likely someone's pet that had grown too large and been released into the wild. The 'owner' may have spray-painted it to protect it from hunters. However, authorities are quick to remind the public that keeping deer as pets is illegal in Pennsylvania. This incident raises questions about the relationship between humans and wildlife, and the potential risks associated with keeping wild animals as companions. It's not the first time a deer has been kept as a pet; in Fayette County, a woman had a deer named Baby, which she collared and vaccinated. However, the Pennsylvania Game Commission took Baby into custody, citing the deer's inability to be considered domestic since it was not born in captivity. A more recent incident in Ohio involved a deer that attacked and killed a woman on her family's property, highlighting the potential dangers of keeping wild animals as pets. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and adhering to local laws to ensure the safety of both humans and animals.
