Although the deer in Port Townsend are very tame, they are still wild animals, and we should not treat them like they are pets. We should interact with them as little as possible and admire them from a distance. And we should also have humane, cruelty-free ways to co-exist with them and manage their excessive, out-of-control population. This is a city-wide, community issue.

Last Friday, I found a very large, deceased doe in my backyard. (I don’t know what the cause of death was, but I hope it wasn’t due to a cruel act of a person.)

I called several city and county resources and anyone else I could think of that might at least be able to tell me what to do. If/when anyone answered the phone, or called me back, the answer was the same — if it’s on your property, it’s your responsibility. I was not trying to duck my responsibility. I simply do not have the equipment, resources, or means to properly dispose of a large, deceased deer myself.

The point I am trying to make is that the city and county should not expect individuals to resolve issues caused by city-wide problems, on their own. And it’s not about property owners not taking responsibility. Most people are just not equipped to deal with such things on their own and need help. And if we are expected to follow all the laws and rules and do things the right way, at least help us figure out how to do that. When we reach out for help regarding an issue stemming from a city-wide problem, and the answer is “not my problem, you’re on your own, but don’t violate any of our laws,” that is no way to manage or help the community.