Attorneys for Animals, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization of attorneys, law students and animal advocates, headquartered in Michigan. As advocates for animals, we oppose the deer cull.
Our opposition is based on ethics, efficacy, the divisive nature of this issue and fiscal irresponsibility. The issue is not deer. These are complex, multifaceted problems: the impact of human development on the natural environment and how best to address urban wildlife. Ann Arbor’s efforts over the better part of a decade can be called scapegoating of deer – to the point of killing them – as a fix for these thorny problems.
Very Truly Yours,
Beatrice M. Friedlander, JD
President
Margaret M. Sadoff, MPH, JD
Ward 5 Resident and Attorneys for Animals Member
We are residents of Ann Arbor, Members/Supporters of Attorneys for Animals and oppose the Resolution:
Jeri Schneider, Ward 1
Maria Comninou, Ward 2
Michelle Barnett, Ward 1
Lorraine Fig Shapiro, Ward 2
Sivana Heller, Ward 5
Barbara Smuts, Ward 2
I oppose the continued funding for deer management. I don't believe this is a critical priority for the city. The previous funds allocated for this project could have been better used to address much more pressing and immediate needs that directly impact the lives of Ann Arbor residents. I don't believe we should be discussing or dedicating resources to a deer cull while the issue of cleaning up and managing the Gelman Dioxane Plume is still not adequately resolved. I am concerned about recent test results showing the plume of contamination extending further than previously known and contaminating additional drinking water sources. I am more concerned about the grave health impacts of drinking contaminated water coming out of the faucets in our homes than the vegetation impacts of deer. Please continue the common sense the council has demonstrated the past 2 years. Defund the deer cull and focus attention and taxpayer dollars on things that matter to the people of Ann Arbor.
I OPPOSE CONTINUED FUNDING FOR DEER MANAGEMENT. A recent study by Hanberry & Abrams (2019) showed that white-tailed deer had not reduced tree densities systematically, at a landscape scale, across the eastern U.S. (which included Michigan data). Importantly, seedlings and saplings were not assessed in this study “because most would not survive to reach the next life stage, regardless of deer browsing”, due to “competition for growing space”. I do not support funding for continuing browse studies that have limited value, other than identifying areas where deer like to lunch. Rather than use deer as a convenient scapegoat, we need to modify our own behaviors and impact on the environment. Ann Arbor should focus its efforts and funding on A2 Zero goals, affordable housing, habitat preservation, and similar initiatives that will pave the way for A2 to become a model of sustainable living. I urge you to OPPOSE the resolution on deer management and let A2 get on with the business of living.
Please note that based on the City's surveys over 70% of Ann Arbor residents support the city's deer management program. This resolution is about understanding the ecological impacts of Ann Arbor's growing deer population in order to make informed decisions about deer management. It is not about funding the deer cull at this time. It is important to continue the studies from prior years in order to have time-series data. Thank you for supporting this resolution.
Continue the common sense you have shown the past 2 years. Defund the deer cull and focus attention and taxpayer dollars on things that matter to the people of Ann Arbor, and leave the deer alone.
Attorneys for Animals, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization of attorneys, law students and animal advocates, headquartered in Michigan. As advocates for animals, we oppose the deer cull.
Our opposition is based on ethics, efficacy, the divisive nature of this issue and fiscal irresponsibility. The issue is not deer. These are complex, multifaceted problems: the impact of human development on the natural environment and how best to address urban wildlife. Ann Arbor’s efforts over the better part of a decade can be called scapegoating of deer – to the point of killing them – as a fix for these thorny problems.
Very Truly Yours,
Beatrice M. Friedlander, JD
President
Margaret M. Sadoff, MPH, JD
Ward 5 Resident and Attorneys for Animals Member
We are residents of Ann Arbor, Members/Supporters of Attorneys for Animals and oppose the Resolution:
Jeri Schneider, Ward 1
Maria Comninou, Ward 2
Michelle Barnett, Ward 1
Lorraine Fig Shapiro, Ward 2
Sivana Heller, Ward 5
Barbara Smuts, Ward 2
I oppose the continued funding for deer management. I don't believe this is a critical priority for the city. The previous funds allocated for this project could have been better used to address much more pressing and immediate needs that directly impact the lives of Ann Arbor residents. I don't believe we should be discussing or dedicating resources to a deer cull while the issue of cleaning up and managing the Gelman Dioxane Plume is still not adequately resolved. I am concerned about recent test results showing the plume of contamination extending further than previously known and contaminating additional drinking water sources. I am more concerned about the grave health impacts of drinking contaminated water coming out of the faucets in our homes than the vegetation impacts of deer. Please continue the common sense the council has demonstrated the past 2 years. Defund the deer cull and focus attention and taxpayer dollars on things that matter to the people of Ann Arbor.
I OPPOSE CONTINUED FUNDING FOR DEER MANAGEMENT. A recent study by Hanberry & Abrams (2019) showed that white-tailed deer had not reduced tree densities systematically, at a landscape scale, across the eastern U.S. (which included Michigan data). Importantly, seedlings and saplings were not assessed in this study “because most would not survive to reach the next life stage, regardless of deer browsing”, due to “competition for growing space”. I do not support funding for continuing browse studies that have limited value, other than identifying areas where deer like to lunch. Rather than use deer as a convenient scapegoat, we need to modify our own behaviors and impact on the environment. Ann Arbor should focus its efforts and funding on A2 Zero goals, affordable housing, habitat preservation, and similar initiatives that will pave the way for A2 to become a model of sustainable living. I urge you to OPPOSE the resolution on deer management and let A2 get on with the business of living.
Please note that based on the City's surveys over 70% of Ann Arbor residents support the city's deer management program. This resolution is about understanding the ecological impacts of Ann Arbor's growing deer population in order to make informed decisions about deer management. It is not about funding the deer cull at this time. It is important to continue the studies from prior years in order to have time-series data. Thank you for supporting this resolution.
Stop funding the killing of deer in Ann Arbor. Spend the funds on People in need.
Continue the common sense you have shown the past 2 years. Defund the deer cull and focus attention and taxpayer dollars on things that matter to the people of Ann Arbor, and leave the deer alone.