Famously friendly deer named Annie is killed by cops, outraging small Michigan town

A small Michigan town is outraged and calling for justice after a beloved, people-loving deer was killed by police.

It happened Oct. 20 outside a home in Lawrence, in Van Buren County, according to a news release from the Pokagon Band Tribal Police.

Graphic video shared to social media shows one of the department’s officers trying to restrain the deer, named Annie. As the doe struggles to break free, people can be heard criticizing the officer.

Eventually, the officer pins Annie upside down, pulls out a handgun and fires a single shot, video shows. Annie’s body jolts, then rolls over limp.

Police have not said why the officer shot the deer, but state wildlife officials strongly discourage people from feeding or trying to domesticate deer.

“There is no reason for her to be put down, she never hurt anybody,” Pamela Babb told WSBT.

Babb said she and her family rescued Annie as a fawn after her mother was hit by a car, the outlet reported.

“When she got old enough she just kept coming back to the farm, she would play with you, the kids, the animals,” Babb said.

Annie became well-known and loved throughout the community, and many turned to a newly created Facebook group, Justice for Annie, to share their encounters with her as she wandered from place to place.

“Annie brought so much joy to so many,” one post read.

While some reminisced about Annie, others made their anger clear.

“This wasn’t JUST A DEER and … people KNOW this was unjust and cruel,” another post read. “Imagine what the last minute of this [deer’s] life was like after thinking humans loved her and wouldn’t hurt her.”

Officers with the Pokagon Band Tribal Police were at the Lawrence home to assist the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office in making an arrest, police said in the release. The incident with Annie appears to be unrelated.

“The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave,” while an investigation is carried out, police said. “We appreciate your patience in this matter and we will provide an update once the investigation is complete.”

Police also “consulted” with the state Department of Natural Resources on the matter.

Michigan DNR did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Oct. 24.

Lawrence, with a population of roughly 1,000 people, is about 55 miles southwest of Grand Rapids.

This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 12:18 PM with the headline "Famously friendly deer named Annie is killed by cops, outraging small Michigan town."