PRINEVILLE, Ore. (AP) — Residents of a central Oregon city are trying out new techniques to keep deer out of their yards after local officials decided not to fine people for feeding the animals.
Prineville residents are using streamers, balloons, pinwheels and CDs hanging from trees to scare off the city’s abundant deer. Ruth McKenzie said she’s concerned about them hurting pets and spreading Lyme disease, and her neighbor Mary Pruitt approached city councilors about the deer issue in July.
Police Chief Dale Cummins told the City Council that trying to punish people who feed deer wouldn’t be productive.
He told The Bulletin that police will try to educate people about why it’s harmful to feed deer, but he doesn’t believe that fining them is the best choice.
