LAWRENCE, MICHIGAN: Annie the Deer, who held a special place in the hearts of the Lawrence community in Michigan, remains a fond memory, but her tragic end has left residents both shocked and deeply outraged.
The incident, which involved the distressing shooting of the beloved deer by a Pokagon Band Tribal Police officer on October 20, has garnered significant attention through a widely circulated video on social media, intensifying the call for accountability and justice.
What led to the tragic shooting of Annie the Deer?
Annie, who had become a cherished member of the community, was shot and killed in front of Pamela Babb's home.
According to Pamela Babb, her family had rescued Annie as a fawn after her mother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Nevaeh Sylvester, Babb's granddaughter, had been dedicated to caring for Annie, feeding the deer three times a day as she grew up.
Annie's presence had become an integral part of the family's life, and she was loved by everyone who knew her.
The horrifying video footage that circulated on social media depicted Annie in a desperate struggle with Officer David Loza of Pokagon Band Tribal Police, who had managed to slip a lead around the deer's neck.
In one video, Annie can be seen battling fiercely against Officer Loza, and in a subsequent video, the deer's life is tragically ended.
Officer Loza manages to pin Annie while she's lying upside down, then draws his handgun and fires a single shot, causing the deer to jolt before going limp.
The video sparked immediate outrage among Lawrence residents, many of whom questioned the necessity of such a drastic response stating, "There is no reason for her to be put down, she never hurt anybody."
Why was the Pokagon Band Tribal Police called to Lawrence property?
According to Pamela, officers were initially called to the property for an unrelated child support matter when Officer Loza noticed Annie.
Babb recounted that he assessed Annie as "domesticated and needs to be put down."
Nevaeh, who had cared for Annie throughout her life, expressed her heartbreak, saying, "She was a piece of my family, like a child or sibling. I was very close with her," Daily Mail reports.
In response to the incident, Chief of Pokagon Band Tribal Police Mario RedLegs released a statement, "The Pokagon Band Tribal Police is currently conducting an investigation regarding a deer being euthanized at the property of a suspect from Lawrence, Michigan, who was taken into custody for a warrant on Friday, October 20."
"The Pokagon Band Tribal Police were assisting Van Buren County Law enforcement and consulted with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The officer involved has been placed on Administrative Leave. We appreciate your patience in this matter, and we will provide an update once the investigation is complete," the statement concluded.
'Justice for Annie!'
The tragic death of Annie has galvanized the local community, leading to the creation of a Facebook group titled 'Justice for Annie.' The group aims to seek justice for the deer and ensure that incidents like this never happen again in their community.
An outraged user commented on Facebook, "What in the hell os wrong with them cops? They have nothing better to do but mess with a deer that isnt hurting anyone wow."
Another mocked, "Clearly the deer was resisting… he definitely is justified in his actions."
"What gives them the right to go onto private property and kill this deer?" questioned another.
A user stated, "I am so disgusted by this." Another user chimed, "I am furious."
