DNR ignored calls to shut down illegal deer farms

Aformer New Brunswick public servant is criticizing the provincial government for not taking action against illegal deer farm operations.

The matter came to light after Donald Dub, a 55-year-old Saint-Lonard man, was killed when he was attacked by one of the deer he kept in a pen behind his home.

Gerry Redmond, who served for 13 years as a wildlife biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, advised the government on how to manage deer and moose populations.

Redmond said during the 1980s and 90s he urged officials to shut downthe white-tailed deer pens that were being operated withoutpermits.

Redmond, the associate director at the Maritime College of Forest Technology in Fredericton, said nothing was done by successive provincial governments to stop the practice of illegal deer farms.

'I advocated getting rid of these ... or doing something to move them out of the system. But there really wasn't the political will at that time.' Gerry Redmond

He said there were probably 11 or 12 white-tailed deer farms that were identified by the department staff.

"I advocated getting rid of these, maybe grandfathering them in, or doing something to move them out of the system. But there really wasn't the political will at that time," he said.

He said the deer farms were in the north and northeast, primarily, and none had permits to operate.

New Brunswick's Fish and Wildlife Act prohibits keeping native or non-native wildlife without special authorization or a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.

Redmond said the only reason backyard deer herds exist is for the trade in deer meat, and to provide a supply for illegal hunting.

Redmond said there is no valid reason for raising the animals in captivity.

"The only reason they would be behind fences is for some commercial purpose whether thats filling someones tag because they havent got a white-tailed deer or selling and killing behind fences," Redmond said.

"Even the whole concept of shooting behind fences to me just doesnt even fit the ethics of being a hunter."

Redmond said there are many reasons why wild animals should not be kept in pens.

He said diseases and illness in animals in captivity can develop quickly and can spread to other wildlife.

CBC News has asked Department of Natural Resources officials for interviews on illegal deer farms in New Brunswick.

Officials have declined, saying the death of the Saint-Lonard man is still under investigation.

A dozen deer have been euthanized after a stag apparently killed Dub, who cared for the herd in an enclosed field behind his home.

Dub's familyasked wildlife officials to euthanize the animals last Wednesday.

According to RCMP, his body had numerous piercings that appear to have been caused by deer antlers. He died of his injuries.