Dog fatally shot by wildlife official for killing a fawn is returned to Idaho owner

A wildlife officer had to make the “tough” decision to shoot and kill a dog that was chasing a baby deer, Idaho officials said.

On April 10, an Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer was responding to a neighborhood in south Pocatello when multiple people told him they had just “watched two dogs chase and kill a mule deer fawn,” according to a news release from state wildlife officials.

After investigating a hillside, the officer found a “freshly killed fawn with multiple injuries consistent with a predatory attack,” officials said.

When the officer saw one of the dogs try to chase down another deer, he shot the dog, which died, according to the release.

“It’s tough on our officers to have to make these decisions,” Jennifer Jackson, regional communications manager for Idaho Fish and Game’s southeast region, said in a news release. “Many of our officers are dog owners, too. But, it’s also tough to watch deer being chased down or killed by people’s pets—especially now after such a hard winter when these deer are so vulnerable.”

Wildlife officials said they learned “these same dogs had been observed chasing and attacking deer in the area in recent weeks.”

Under state law, it is illegal for owners to allow their dogs to chase and kill big game animals, according to the release.

In these situations, officials said, Fish and Game officers are “authorized to shoot.”

The owner of the other dog involved in the attack was fined $136 while the dead dog was returned to its owner, officials said.

Pocatello is about 165 miles north of Salt Lake City.

This story was originally published April 11, 2023 at 9:38 AM.