Help needed for deer in Middletown with plastic lid stuck around its neck

News 12 was told the deer now appears to have injuries around its neck from the plastic lid.

News 12 Staff

Jan 27, 2022, 8:51 PM

Updated 827 days ago

Share:

There is still no help for a deer in Middletown stuck with a plastic lid around its neck since December.
News 12 first reported on the deer and its plight on Monday.
Viewers sent News 12 a photo of the animal Saturday in a cemetery on Mulberry Street.
News 12 reached out to the DEC, which urged people to call their wildlife department with its exact whereabouts to help.
A woman in the area says she's spotted the animal several times and contacted the DEC but was told there's nothing they can do.
"It hangs and when he tries to eat it bangs and makes loud noises and the other deer run and scatter. It's just heartbreaking to see the poor thing struggling," says Tery Grabowski, of Middletown.
News 12 was told the deer now appears to have injuries around its neck from the plastic lid.
The DEC released the following statement: "DEC has received multiple calls about this deer since mid-December. Environmental Conservation Police Officers have been to the site on several occasions to observe the deer and assess the situation. Their observations, which are consistent with the reports from the public, indicate the plastic lid is not interfering with the deer’s ability to eat and drink, the deer remains in good physical condition, and it is mobile. In instances where a deer (or other wildlife) has a foreign object stuck on its head, leg, etc., but is still mobile and its vision and ability to eat and drink are not impaired, it has generally been the position of DEC to not attempt to intervene. Intervention to remove the lid at this point is not without significant risk to the animal. DEC will continue to monitor the situation and our approach may change if the circumstances warrant a more active response."


More from News 12
2:32
Keeping kids safe: Youth curfew now in effect for the city of Newark

Keeping kids safe: Youth curfew now in effect for the city of Newark

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

2:16
Cloudy skies overnight; rainy weekend ahead for New Jersey

Cloudy skies overnight; rainy weekend ahead for New Jersey

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

0:23
South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning