When residents of Harrington Park received a letter from Camden Council about a proposed deer cull, some of them saw red.
Some even wrote back to several councillors outraged about shooting “Santa’s little helper”.
“Could you please advise how a pest is determined by local law and declared such a pest that it needs to be exterminated,’’ one wrote.
“If I find a snake on my property, I’m not allowed to kill it and must pay $200 to get it moved elsewhere – and a snake has the potential to kill me, my family or pets.
“However, Santa’s little helper, whose greatest crime is to trample on someone’s garden, requires the following treatment to eradicate it.
“Please advise how residents can complain about this? This is not what all residents want to see happen.’’
The letter from council said a small population of feral deer have been identified within John Oxley Reserve, Kirkham and Harrington Forest Reserves adjoining The Northern Road in Harrington Park.
“Deer can have many negative impacts on bushland ecosystems, damage to livestock, damage to personal property including car accidents,’’ council said in the letter to residents.
“Large male deer are also dangerous to pets and humans, with injuries and fatalities recorded every year in Australia from deer attacks.
“Council has an obligation under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 to control and suppress populations of deer, goats, foxes and rabbits.
“These animals are all identified as priority pests by the NSW Local Land Services and in the Greater Sydney Regional Strategic Pest Animal Plan.
“Ground shooting by a highly skilled and trained contractor is the most humane and appropriate method of broadscale control.
“Unfortunately, relocation of deer is not considered viable due to the large numbers of deer and the lack of suitable spaces for relocation.
“Trapping is also not appropriate as this creates significant distress to the animals and results in the animals still being euthanised.
“This management program is part of a larger program being managed across the Macarthur area by Local Land Services.
“This work is standard for Camden Council, as with many other councils across the state, and is something we have undertaken successfully in the past.
“In relation to the query about snakes, all native snakes in NSW are protected under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and it is illegal to harm these animals.’’
