Taser, trap end deer's trip to downtown Toronto

The bustle of Toronto's financial district didn't stop a deer from sauntering through the area Tuesday morning, creating a frenzy among city dwellers.

CTV Toronto: Janice Golding on the deer catch-and-release

Police and zoo workers captured a deer that made its way into the heart of the city, nestling behind a bush near the Greyhound station on Dundas. Janice Golding reports.

CTV News Channel: Toronto police capture the deer

he Toronto police Emergency Task Force first tried using a tranquilizer on the animal but the shot startled the deer from her resting spot and she began to run towards the street.

CTV Toronto Extended: Toronto police Supt. Hugh Ferguson

A Toronto police superintendent from 52 division describes what measures were taken to capture the deer and why.

CTV Toronto Extended: Deer hangs out near bus terminal

A female deer took a trip to Toronto on Tuesday, strolling through the downtown core among hundreds of bewildered passersby.

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The deer makes a run for it near the Toronto Coach Terminal at Bay and Dundas, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009. Toronto police tasered the deer shortly after.

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ctvtoronto.ca

Date: Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009 7:45 PM ET

A deer that spent the morning sauntering around downtown Toronto before plopping down for a rest at the foot of a highrise building, was Tasered by police officers trying to relocate the animal.

However, the deer is alive and in good health after its brush with the law on Tuesday.

The takedown happened in full view of dozens of media outlets and curious onlookers.

"Wow, you've got half the city of Toronto out here looking for a deer!" laughed Diane Brerton. "It's bizarre!"

"It's kinda cool. I'm from the Maritimes, and you never see a deer like this in the city," added Linda Ferrier, another onlooker

"It's amazing, absolutely amazing, so I came prepared," she said, referring to the small pair of binoculars with her.

Other people took photos and video. Many speculated on how the animal managed to wander into the heart of one of Canada's most urban areas.

The Toronto police Emergency Task Force first tried using a tranquilizer on the animal but the shot startled the deer from her resting spot and she began to run towards the street.

That's when police Tasered the animal in order to bring her under their control. Dozens of police and animal control officers then surrounded the animal and trapped her with a net before placing her in a van.

A veterinarian checked out the deer before she was released back in the wild.

The female deer was first spotted Tuesday morning just after 7 a.m. at Union Station strolling among hundreds of bewildered passersby.

Witnesses also reported seeing the doe at Queen and Bay Streets before she walked over to Dundas Street and University Avenue, just blocks away from Toronto police's 52 Division.

The doe eventually plopped down behind some some shrubs at the foot of a building on Chestnut Avenue, near Edward Street and Dundas.

Police set up a wide perimeter around the building, keeping the crowd of people who gathered to watch and traffic at a disstance so as not to startle the animal.

An officer at the scene told reporters police were afraid the animal might pose a danger to public safety and that the perimeter was put up to keep both the animal and passersby safe.

By 11 a.m., when the deer hadn't moved from her resting spot, Toronto police employed the tranquilizer.

"Obviously you want to do your best to protect the animal, but the same time, you want to make sure members of the public suddenly didn't become frightened and run out into traffic," Supt. Hugh Ferguson told reporters.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Janice Golding

Please Add Comments( )

trunorth
said
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Too bad it's not a black bear. Then maybe the idiots at Queens Park would do something about the proliferation of bear threats that we have to deal with here in Northern Ontario.

JIM MCCORKLE
said
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A bigger city but we have lots every day, I visit a park 5 blocks away to photograph them. Got my first Buck of the season yesterday

Steve from Toronto
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I can see the headline on tomorrow's paper.

"DO'H! A Deer. A Female Deer."

Steve

David Smith
said
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Leave the deer alone; she is probably, Christmas Shopping

MIKE IN MISSISSAUGA
said
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Oh Dear!

Beth
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Hopefully they can catch it and set it free where it will be safe.
No need to use an excuse to have to kill it. They are so eager to kill wild animals because they are "dangerous" or a "nuisance".
They belong to Nature and we are not the ones to pronounce a death sentence on them.
In reality, humans are the dangerous ones and a lot of them are a nuisance. No one seems to think they should be put down.

dave
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Cue the "deer are not invaders, humans are" comments!!

Or better yet..."we have lots of deer in northern Ontario so why is this news??"

Rob
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Come on people it is common sense. Animal control were called. They are more than likely going to tranquilize it and transport it somewhere safe for it.

Get off your rockers. It did no harm so obviously they are not going to kill it. And those from the north like me... it is only news as it is in downtown TO and the traffic there cannot be compared to a city up north.

I tell you some people should just stay quiet.

dave
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You got it Rob!

Beth...You are correct...it should be humanely trapped and relocated to the north where hunters can kill it for sport.

Michael Shaw
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Maybe they should let her find her own way home .

Liz
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Somehow I think the deer was more bewildered than the passersby.

MW In Thunder Bay
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I completely agree with Trunorth. I wish it would be a black bear instead of a deer. That way the bleeding hearts in Toronto could find out first hand what kind of a population boom the cancellation of the spring bear hunt has lead to. Almost everybody in Northern Ontario can tell you one or more nuisance bear stories.

Anabela
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Please help her get to a safe place.

James
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@MW In Thunder Bay: God forbid a living creature should be a "nuisance" and interrupt your life. I agree, any nuisance should just be shot dead on the spot. We'll start with bears, then maybe move on to the dogs, and finish off with those damned teenagers who walk across your yard. Life will then be in a perfect state of uninterrupted bliss.

W.Stone
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Why don't all you people from up north just shut up about the bears. You all knew there where bears there way before you moved there, if you don't like it move to Toronto and get taxed to death and you also can think a deer in the downtown is news.

Johan, Stittsville
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At least TO didn't call the army in. glad they got it. northerners are right - way too many bears these days. moose and deer populations are hurting b/c the bears are eating the newborns right after birth.

Julie
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The comments are more amusing than the story.

DJ in Manitoba
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I guess they have to practice on some one(Deer).I wonder if they hospitalized the deer to make sure it was OK. I wonder if Tasering the deer falls under proper guidelines. Next there will be a public enquiry asked for by the Liberals. This is pathetic. Haven't they got any better news that this.

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
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The deer was probably kicked out of Huntsville. I would imagine the rich have changed their bylaws now that the new reformed conservatives upgraded their infrastructures with our tax dollars.

Gord
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Dear Doe: Oh where oh where did you come from? Did you take the GO train in?

Paul
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I comment on this event from a neutral position and common sense, living and playing in both rural and urban settings.

I am not currently a hunter or that knowledgeable in wildlife, but do understand that wildlife management is an important aspect of a balance in our communities. The use of managed hunting is a big part of that. Those who learn, get safety training, licenced, and hunt contribute to that management and that large economy while proving a natural food source for family and others. I think it may be unlawful to allow a harvested animal to go to waste in Ontario, as some elude to.

I am glad this circumstance has ended as it has at this time and the deer will return to a natural habitat. Should it have become necessary to have shot this deer in the interest of public safety, I would hope that the use of the deer would have been for food in shelters in the community where a source of healthy protein is often lacking.

It may not be what some may support or would participate in, but it is part of a good balance. Disturbing that balance, like the cancellation of some hunting activities, is having consequences that must be considered. I would rather see an animal harvested in a managed way than have a person injured or killed in an incident, like a motor vehicle collision.

Beth
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You people who think animals are dispensable need a reality check. We are infringing on their territory. WE HUMANS ARE NOT SUPERIOR so get off your high horse. If the bears and everything else are in your way, than move. They have no where to go but you do!
Leave the animals alone. They are only trying to survive. PERIOD.

Margaret
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I am glad this had a happy ending , so hope the deer doesnt have any harmful effects from the taser. It must have been scared out of its wits. Thank you Toraonto Police for a good job.