State-Approved Deer Culling Plan Begins In Mount Lebanon

MOUNT LEBANON, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - A state-approved plan to cull deer in an affluent Pittsburgh suburb has begun despite opposition voiced by residents and some opponents from outside the municipality at a board of commissioners meeting.

Mount Lebanon officials have hired Tioga County-based Wildlife Specialists LLC to herd up to 150 deer into fenced-in areas, where they will be shot, through the end of the month.

The commissioners voted for the plan because of concerns about deer causing traffic accidents in the hilly, wooded community south of Pittsburgh.

Bait is used to attract the deer, which will be trapped and shot overnight. The process has spawned protests from animal rights activists from outside the municipality as well as residents seeking what they believe are more humane measures.

At least one deer was reportedly killed early Wednesday, hours after a raucous commissioners' meeting.

Those for and against Mount Lebanon's controversial deer culling plan were out once again Tuesday evening to have their voices heard at community meeting.

It was the first meeting for the Mount Lebanon Commission since they approved the controversial deer culling measures in the community.

They made it clear immediately that the decision would stand.

The commissioners also said the culling method will be joined with a method to sterilize the deer population once they come up with a plan. Three more culling sites have been approved as well.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)