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Last updated on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
(CONNERSVILLE) - A Connersville police officer and his wife face possible jail time for caring for an injured deer.
Jeff and Jennifer Counceller rescued an injured fawn and spent over a year nursing it back to health. The couple now faces charges of unlawful possession of a deer which could mean up to 60 days in jail and a two thousand dollar fine.
Dr. Darcy Clark Crook, a Purdue graduate and veterinarian, says it's not a good idea to nurse wildlife back to health when you don't have the training. She says wildlife are called that for a reason and though the animals may be submissive when they're young, their instincts take over when they grow up which could be dangerous for humans.
Dr. Crook says caring for injured wildlife is not completely illegal. She says if someone wants to help injured wildlife, they can call the Department of Natural Resources and get trained to be a wildlife rehabilitator.
The Councellers could go to trial next month if the charges against them are not dropped.
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