DNR Records On Fawn Seizure Reveal Internal Concerns

The Wisconsin DNR is now moving to ensure the agency and state do not get another black eye over seizing and euthanizing captive wild fawns.

I'd made an open records request to the DNR for emails documents about the episode. The request included email to and from the DNR Secretary and her staff.

Though the records were delivered in an electronic format that does not allow me to copy and paste them here, I can provide some information from the record about how the DNR dealt with the episode how its fallout:

*  The records have all DNR employees names, email address and other identifying information blacked out. An agency attorney says that was done for security reasons, as some DNR employees received threats.

*  The July 13th "incident report" says the fawn was sedated, removed from the shelter in a crate and later "euthanized by wildlife staff with a bolt gun while on state lands."

*  "On July 15th, an internal message of praise was delivered to unnamed DNR employees was summed up with "outstanding job!!!!"

*  On August 1st, an email discussed this media guidance: "we should never again say that a fawn could b a "danger to" or threaten the safety of the public. Always followed by video of tame behavior, etc...."

* On August 2nd, DNR staffers agreed there was support for an employee's suggestion that an unused DNR phone number be set up to field and record incoming calls on the matter so no employee's actual phone number went into circulation.

* On August 15th, there was a disagreement within the DNR over whether the word "repugnant" describing current state practice on fawn euthanasia should be included in an official DNR response being drafted, "even though [redacted] likes it." The word does not appear in the DNR's followup work and response.