'It would be like losing a child': Michigan couple fight to keep the pet deer they saved from near death

PUBLISHED: 15:19 EST, 3 June 2013 | UPDATED: 15:46 EST, 3 June 2013

333

View
comments

Five years ago, a female deer was hit outside of a Michigan couple's home in Genesee County. The deer suddenly went into labor and gave birth to twins.

One of the twins died, but the other survived. Not knowing what to do with the near-dead baby, the couple, who would like to remain anonymous, asked the responding police officer if they could try and nurse it back to health.

'Go ahead. She won't last 15 minutes but give it a try.'

Miracle fawn: Lilly was born on the side of the road after her mother was hit by a car. A Michigan couple nursed her to health and has kept her as a pet ever since

Outdoor doe: Lilly enjoys playing frisbee in the backyard with the couple's two dogs

Miraculously, after bottle feeding the fawn goat milk, and sleeping with the new-born for two weeks, the baby deer survived.

They named her Lilly, and she became just another member of the family. She sleeps on a futon, watches animal planet, likes to sleep in and nap with the cats, while also enjoying a game of Frisbee in the back yard.

But after receiving a complaint, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is threatening to take Lilly away from the only family she's ever known.

The couple's neighbors have always been fine with Lilly living with them, but when new neighbors moved in and invited friends over, one of their guests reported Lilly to the DNR.

The couple returned home to find a note on their door, warning them that keeping the deer was illegal. Now the DNR plans on taking the deer away. If Lilly fails to rehabilitate, they will put her down.

Nap time: Apparently, Lilly can be quite lazy. According to her owner it takes a bit prodding to get her off the futon in the morning

Nap time: Apparently, Lilly can be quite lazy. According to her owner it takes a bit of prodding to get her off the futon in the morning

Birthday girl: Like any house pet, Lilly celebrates her birthday every year - complete with festive hats

It’s illegal to keep a wild animal in the state of Michigan, something that the couple did not know. However, since Lilly was raised in their home, and only knows domesticated like, they feel that an exception should be made.

‘We thought we were helping her – saving her life. And we did,’ one of Lilly’s owners told a WNEM reporter. ‘I think there’s exceptions to the rules. Sometimes love should be enough.’

The couple have retained a lawyer to help fight the DNR from taking Lilly away from them. Lilly’s human mother says that the lawyer is coming up with a different strategy to save Lilly.

More...

Though losing Lilly would be ‘like losing a child’ there are some situations the couple would be okay with, such as placement at a nearby petting zoo.

‘Some place close where we can visit her,’ one of Lilly’s owners told MailOnline. ‘She’s going to be heartbroken. We’re all she’s ever known.’

And not only are her owners going to be miss Lilly, but her brothers and sisters too – the two dogs and three cats that Lilly thinks are her brothers and sisters.

Since an interview on WNEM Friday, a reporter told the couple that the site has received 2800 hits for Lilly’s story - something they hope will help garner support for their cause.

At home: Lilly has her own futon, and enjoys watching Animal Planet. But her days at home with her loving family may be over at the DNR seeks to take her away

DNR threatens to remove faily's pet deer

Add your comments

Comments (334)

The comments below have not been moderated.

View all

They can probably get around the law if they claim that their home is a "Wildlife Sanctuary".

- Trystyn Dersch , lansing, United States, 04/6/2013 20:35

Click to rate Rating (0)

They can get around that law if they claim that their house is a "Wildlife Sanctuary".

- Trystyn Dersch , lansing, United States, 04/6/2013 20:33

Click to rate Rating (0)

What harm is a deer in someone's back yard with a privacy fence? Ridiculous! I'd rather have a deer next door than a yappy dog.

- Robin , Raleigh North Carolina, United States, 04/6/2013 20:26

Click to rate Rating 2

Oh Dear!

- DrWho , Orange, 04/6/2013 20:18

Click to rate Rating (0)

This nasty neighbor needs some dental work.

- Bugandco , Chicago, 04/6/2013 20:09

Click to rate Rating 4

Lily is OBVIOUSLY NOT wild!! Good grief, Leave them alone!!!

- Sherry Volrath , Walhalla, United States, 04/6/2013 20:01

Click to rate Rating 6

Did not tho officer give permission for the couple to keep the deer and is the officer not a representative of the state government? The couple could claim that they have permission of the government to keep the deer and this supersedes state law concerning wild animals :)!

- Jerry , Chico, United States, 04/6/2013 19:49

Click to rate Rating 5

This is the problem with busy body neighbors who think it is they're business to intrude in they're neighbors lives. These busy body neighbors must be government bureaucrats.

- Melvin Leppla , jacksonville, United States, 04/6/2013 19:47

Click to rate Rating 10

Horrible new neighbors! There is a "spirit of the law," and the "letter of the law." this is simple.

- f0rTyLeGz , Portland, United States, 04/6/2013 19:44

Click to rate Rating 8

Go to change.org & sign away!

- Clemsongirl , Alexandria VA, 04/6/2013 19:44

Click to rate Rating 4

Share this comment

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.