Authorities Confiscated a Beloved Deer That a Woman Raised as a Pet — and Now the Animal Might Be Euthanized

Authorities confiscated a deer that a Pennsylvania woman had been keeping as a pet, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission and multiple reports.

Tammy Shiery of Fayette County says that she and several members of her neighborhood have raised the 2-year-old deer — whom they named Baby — ever since they found him as a fawn, per CBS News affiliate KDKA News.

Shiery, 64, told the outlet that Baby has received all of the same vaccines that are required for deer on deer farms, and that she believed she had all of the necessary paperwork to legally keep Baby as a pet. 

However, Pennsylvania law states that deer can only be kept as domestic pets if they were born in captivity — which Baby was not. Shiery attempted to intervene when state authorities showed up to take Baby away and was subsequently arrested, per KDKA.

PEOPLE reached out to the Pennsylvania State Police but did not receive an immediate response.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission confirmed it has Baby in its custody, and he has not been euthanized at this point in time, per KDKA. The game commission also told the outlet that it is currently deciding on next steps for the animal.

A recent news release obtained by PEOPLE from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Southwest Region confirmed the office received a call about “the unlawful possession of a white-tailed deer taken from the wild." The statement went on to note that an employee of the game commission went to investigate the report and spotted the deer wearing a dog collar. The deer had also been "castrated and altered to prohibit antler growth."

"Possessing or taking animals from the wild as pets is prohibited under Pennsylvania law," the statement continued. "The public is reminded that wildlife poses a safety risk and should not be handled or possessed."

A Change.org petition has been created by a member of Shiery’s community in an attempt to convince authorities to release Baby back into their care. 

“I, alongside many residents of Fayette County [...] have fostered a deep connection with a deer named Baby,” the petition begins. “For over two years, we have lovingly cared for Baby, providing [him] with vaccinations and treating [him] as a cherished member of our community. Yet, without reason and in a brutal display of disregard, the Pennsylvania Game Commission forcibly removed [him] from us.”

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The petition goes on to compare the incident to that of the widely criticized euthanasia of Peanut the squirrel, stating “we cannot stand by and let this happen.”

“Pennsylvania is noted to have an overabundant deer population, and isolated incidents like this do not pose a significant threat to public safety or health. Thus, we believe the removal of Baby from the home where [he] was taken care of is unwarranted and harsh. In the interests of justice, compassion and community bond, we urge the Pennsylvania Game Commission to return Baby to us — [his] rightful caregivers and home,” the petition concludes.