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Mount Greenwood residents rally to help deer in distress

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Published  January 10, 2025 6:07pm CST
Mount Greenwood
FOX 32 Chicago

Chicago residents rally to help deer in distress

A young deer wandering Saint Casimir Catholic Cemetery became the focus of a heartfelt rescue effort this week.

The Brief

    • A young deer with a plastic container stuck on its head drew concern from residents near Saint Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Mount Greenwood.
    • Efforts to rescue the deer included drone searches and attempts by residents to remove the bucket.
    • Officials now believe the deer has freed itself, as no distressed animals were found in the area.

CHICAGO - A young deer wandering Saint Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood became the focus of a heartfelt rescue effort this week after neighbors noticed it had a clear plastic container stuck on its head.

Residents, determined to help, shared sightings of the deer and worked to bring relief.

Jamie Stahulak, who spent hours trying to assist, recounted her close encounters.

"I was able to get one hand on the bucket yesterday three different times, but as soon as I bring the second hand around, he jumps away," she said.

On Friday afternoon, Cook County Animal Control joined the effort, deploying a drone to survey the area. However, officials believe the deer may have managed to free itself.

In a statement, Chicago Animal Care and Control said Illinois Conservation Police had "accounted for all the yearlings in the two deer herds at the cemetery, and none were found in distress. All agencies are confident that the deer likely removed the container on its own."

On Saturday morning, Stahulak found further proof that the deer had managed to get free. 

She returned to the cemetery just after 8 a.m. and about 10 minutes later, she found the plastic container. 

"He did, in FACT, somehow get it off! And now we have proof!" Stahulak said in a post on Facebook. 

Several agencies and law enforcement assisted in Friday's search for the deer. Stahulak gave thanks to all who contributed. 

"It takes a village - and what a great one we have," she said.

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