{"id":2188909,"date":"2025-10-30T06:00:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T05:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2188909"},"modified":"2025-10-25T13:39:41","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T11:39:41","slug":"fury-over-michigan-governments-plan-to-euthanize-rescued-baby-deer-called-peanut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/fury-over-michigan-governments-plan-to-euthanize-rescued-baby-deer-called-peanut\/","title":{"rendered":"Fury over Michigan government’s plan to euthanize rescued baby deer called Peanut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Several lawmakers have accused Michigan’s government of abusing its power after it made the ‘unnecessary and cruel’ decision to condemn a rescued baby deer to death.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, lawmakers called on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to stop the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from euthanizing two animals that could not be released into the wild: Peanut the fawn and a coyote named Kota.<\/p>\n

Wildlife unable to survive on their own must either be transferred to an approved educational facility or euthanized under state law.<\/p>\n

Peanut was scheduled to be put down next week.<\/p>\n

The department claimed that the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), a non-profit no-kill sanctuary caring for Peanut, missed a paperwork deadline and can no longer keep the animal in human care.<\/p>\n

But DAWG argued they had met all requirements and accused officials of demanding Peanut\u2019s death over an ‘arbitrary deadline,’ despite her being healthy and safe.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, Peanut was spared on Friday after public outrage and bipartisan pressure pushed state officials to reverse course and grant her a last-minute reprieve.<\/p>\n

‘Peanut is a gentle animal who relies on staff for daily care,’ DAWG said in a statement. ‘We believe the decision to euthanize her is both unnecessary and cruel.’<\/p>\n

Though Peanut has been granted a reprieve the ongoing fallout from the bitter dispute threatens to be politically damaging to the state’s leaders.<\/p>\n

Republican Rep Angela Rigas said: ‘This isn’t just about one deer. It’s about whether unelected bureaucrats get to decide life and death without accountability.’<\/p>\n

Writing before the decision to let Peanut live the lawmaker added: ‘This is not just about wildlife. It’s about compassion, common sense and the proper role of government.’<\/p>\n

Peanut arrived at the rehab facility in critical condition, with DAWG revealing in a Facebook post that she was lying on her side, too weak to move.<\/p>\n

The medical team warmed her, raised her glucose levels with IV fluids and dextrose, and began treating her as a neurologic patient.<\/p>\n

After months in intensive care, Peanut began with lifting her head and learning to stand. Soon, she walked on her own for the first time.<\/p>\n

But her neurological issues, impaired vision, domesticated behavior and dependence on humans made it unsafe for her to ever return to the wild.<\/p>\n

\"Former
Former Republican Michigan gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon said: ‘Whitmer (pictured) and her band of enforcers are obsessed with malicious obedience to their unreasonable government regulations’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"In
In a fiery letter to Whitmer lawmakers demanded a reprieve for both animals and urged her to order the DNR to secure permanent homes for rescued wildlife<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Peanut
Peanut (pictured) arrived at DAWG in critical condition, with the facility revealing that the fawn was lying on her side, extremely weak and unable to move<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After completing treatment, Peanut was moved to a wildlife center as an educational ambassador where she could thrive among other non-releasable fawns.<\/p>\n

The DNR then claimed that DAWG had missed an unknown deadline to apply for an educational permit allowing Peanut to remain in permanent care.<\/p>\n

The sanctuary pushed back, arguing that the animals have been safely housed and routinely inspected since obtaining their rehabilitation license in 2014.<\/p>\n

State lawmakers accused the government of overstepping and prioritizing a ‘technical deadline’ over an animal\u2019s life, especially since the animals had been safely housed and inspected for the past decade.<\/p>\n

‘These animals are not threats, they are survivors,’ Rigas said in a news release. ‘Governor Whitmer must commute the death sentences of these animals.’<\/p>\n

Lawmakers claim the case exposes how state agencies can wield excessive power, often at the expense of citizens acting in good faith.<\/p>\n

An immediate review of DNR procedures over ‘a lack of transparency, arbitrary deadlines and aggressive enforcement tactics’ was called for.<\/p>\n

Rigas said the no-kill facility was being ‘harassed’ by the agency, which she claimed is notorious for enforcing inconsistent rules on its own terms.<\/p>\n

\"Republican
Republican Rep Angela Rigas (pictured) said that the no-kill facility was being ‘harassed’ by the DNR, which she claimed is notorious for enforcing inconsistent rules on its own terms<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"On
On Friday morning, DAWG shared a long-awaited update on Facebook: Peanut will live<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘No consistency, no fairness,’ Rigas told Fox News Digital. ‘They\u2019re overfunded, overstaffed and this is a perfect example of how government overreach hurts good people.’<\/p>\n

In a statement to Fox, former Republican Michigan gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon said: ‘Whitmer and her band of enforcers are obsessed with malicious obedience to their unreasonable government regulations.’<\/p>\n

‘Too bad Peanut didn\u2019t illegally cross the border,’ he added. ‘She\u2019d have free healthcare for life.’<\/p>\n

Lawmakers also urged Whitmer to establish a fairer and more humane rescue-appeal process, stop prosecuting DAWG and issue the necessary permits for ongoing care.<\/p>\n

On Friday morning, DAWG announced that baby Peanut will be at the Howell Nature Center, where visitors can see her as early as next week.<\/p>\n

‘Peanut is scratching her head this morning on why her life was almost taken,’ the sanctuary wrote. ‘She is sniffing the fresh fall air and taking a deep breath now.’<\/p>\n

But DAWG\u2019s work isn’t over, as they are now urging the community to speak up for Kota, who Whitmer has yet to respond to despite bipartisan requests for her rescue.<\/p>\n

‘They now have filed to revoke our permit AGAIN stating we have Kota illegally,’ they wrote in a desperate plea.<\/p>\n

\"Lawmakers
Lawmakers said Peanut’s situation is part of a bigger pattern of ‘government overreach’ and blatant disregard for ‘compassion and common sense’ (pictured: signatures of lawmakers on letter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"DAWG
DAWG is now urging the community to speak up for Kota (pictured), who Whitmer has yet to respond to despite bipartisan requests for her rescue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘They have spent an estimated 1 million dollars of Michigan tax payer dollars on these unjust court cases. If they win they will KILL ALL THE WILDLIFE IN OUR CARE!’ they added.<\/p>\n

‘Please be their voice! Stop the DNR harassment! Animals in our community need us!’<\/p>\n

This article<\/a> by Kelly Garino was first published by The Daily Mail on 17 October 2025. Lead Image:\u00a0Michigan lawmakers called on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to immediately prevent the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from euthanizing Peanut, a rescued baby fawn (pictured).<\/em><\/p>\n

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