DNR euthanizes deer from no-kill shelter

Wisconsin wildlife officials are defending their decision to remove a fawn from a no-kill shelter in Kenosha and euthanize it.

An Illinois family brought the fawn to the Saint Francis Society shelter near the state line, believing she had lost her mother. Staff named the animal Giggles.

Workers said Department of Natural Resources agents turned up about two weeks ago and told them Wisconsin law forbids the possession of wildlife.

Shelter employee Ray Schulze said he told agents the fawn was scheduled to go to an animal preserve in Illinois the next day. He said they took Giggles anyway.

DNR Warden Supervisor Jennifer Niemeyer told WISN-TV that state law requires such animals to be euthanized because they could spread disease.