Have we become so ignorant, as a society, that we can’t deal with deer? The deer have were here long before this town was developed. Right now, the does have their fawns they are protecting, as any mother protects her young. I walk my dog on the Animas River Trail and have come in contact with an aggressive doe protecting a small herd of does and several fawns. I respect them and am aware of their aggression with their young, and we will quickly take another route. I have seen, on numerous occasions, dogs off their leashes chasing deer, which is illegal.

Many dog owners at our parks and river trail allow their dogs to run at large and chase deer. What do these people expect deer to do? Ignorance is bliss, and doing a roundup of deer and slaughtering them is just absurd, and many residents here in Durango would protest this ridiculous plan, as do I.

If you don’t like the deer, feel throwing rocks at them is OK or are just bothered by them, move away or fence your property to keep them out. It amazes me how outright ignorant people still are, especially in this mountain community where there is wildlife all around us. I’m very ashamed of those who feel exterminating these beautiful creatures is the only answer. How selfish they are.

Terrie Massucci

Durango