CINCINNATI -- Neighbors in Mount Lookout have been watching a deer this summer, curious and concerned about a zip tie around her neck.
Sharon Bonadies said the young female deer first showed up in her backyard with the zip tie a few weeks ago.
"It was close around her neck, but it wasn't tight, and she wasn't in any distress," Bonadies said. "And she was able to come in here and eat and walk over to that fence there and just leap right over."
Still, Bonadies called the Ohio Division of Wildlife. She was told officials wouldn't tranquilize the deer to take the zip tie off. Tranquilizers often take a long time to kick and, and they can be risky. They told Bonadies to call back if the deer appeared to be in distress.
A couple days ago, Bonadies said the deer seemed "different."
"She was hanging her head and splaying her legs out to try to stand up, and she couldn't jump the fence," Bonadies said.
Bonadies shot videos and pictures and called the Division of Wildlife again.
"She's still laying in my yard and she's been here since before 8 this morning, and she's getting more and more in distress," Bonadies said. "Her head is beginning to lay on the ground a bit."
The Division of Wildlife sent a wildlife officer out to Mount Lookout to find the deer, but hasn't had luck. A reporter was able to find the deer right away, in the same spot she was in the morning.
The deer's ribs were visible and she appeared to be foaming at the mouth
"If we see one that's injured or in pain, I want to be able to figure out a way to put her out of her pain, whether that's removing the zip tie or any other kind of treatment, but I can't seem to find anybody to come and help," Bonadies said.
Bonadies also called the city, the SPCA and 9 On Your Side. A reporter gave Bonadies' address to wildlife officers, who said they'd come back out. A local veterinarian, Dr. Paul Levitas with The Animal Hospital on Mount Lookout Square, came out Monday evening to try to help, but the deer took off through part of the yard without a fence.
"That zip tie came from a human being and not part of nature, and it seems like if we cause it, we should at least take care of this," Bonadies said.
