Mar 4, 2015 2 min read

I would like to speak for myself and on behalf of many others in regards to an inhumane act of cruelty and barbaric violence that Mt. Lebanon wants to inflict on the deer in their municipality. Let’s start by stating that you have no more deer in your municipality than anyone else has. It’s the wildlife we all have – they’re God’s creatures, and we all have to live among them. Many of us enjoy them. They will always be here, so the few residents that complain about feces in their yards – get over yourselves. That’s nature.

I went to the meeting on Feb. 10 and spoke, as did others from Allison Park, Jefferson Hills and even the Humane Society of the United States, which offered ideas on sterilization. Everyone had the same guiltless stone face on the board of commissioners. The room was filled with Mt. Lebanon residents against such an inhumane act. There were thousands of signatures on the petitions against it.

I applaud some of the Mt. Lebanon residents on their great speeches and on how they don’t stand for cruelty to wildlife. This is all because of a few select spoiled residents trying to get their way. What kind of example is this setting for children? There are no words to justify this act of cruelty to defenseless animals.

Mt. Lebanon calls themselves the elite of municipalities and when it comes down to it, they will be an embarrassment to themselves and other communities.

So, the residents of Mt. Lebanon that are against luring the deer with food into cages and shooting them point-blank need to come together and take a stand against this. Remember when it’s time to vote for your leaders on the board of commissioners, vote for someone who has compassion and cares where your tax dollars are being spent.

Have a heart – these actions can’t be justified and it’s doomed to fail.

Nancy Smith

Castle Shannon