To the City of Pittsburgh:

We, the undersigned, call for an end to the deer cull in Pittsburgh. The cull is an inhumane and ineffective approach to managing the deer population in our city. We urge city officials to implement humane alternatives that prioritize the welfare of both the deer and our community.

Why This Matters:

1. Inhumane Treatment: Culling involves the unnecessary killing of deer, causing unnecessary suffering to these sentient beings. It is our moral responsibility to seek compassionate solutions.
2. Ineffective Long-Term Solution: Studies have shown that volunteer-led culling does not provide a lasting solution to deer population control. Populations often rebound due to the increased availability of resources, leading to a cycle of repeated killings.
3. Safety Concerns: Culling can threaten public safety, particularly in urban and suburban areas where stray arrows could harm residents and pets.

Humane Alternatives:

We advocate for the city to adopt non-lethal and effective methods of deer population management, including:

• Fertility Control: Implementing surgical sterilization on the doe population to manage deer fertility and gradually reduce population numbers.
• Habitat Modification: Altering landscapes and planting deer-resistant vegetation to deter deer from certain areas naturally.
• Community Education: Educating residents on coexisting with deer, including proper fencing techniques and safe driving practices to prevent deer-vehicle collisions.

Call to Action:

We call on the City of Pittsburgh to:

1. Halt the planned deer cull immediately and refrain from conducting any future culls.
2. Convene a task force comprising wildlife experts, animal welfare advocates, and community representatives to explore and implement humane alternatives.
3. Invest in and promote public awareness campaigns to educate residents on coexisting with deer and the benefits of humane population management.

By signing this petition, we stand together in demanding compassionate, science-based solutions to manage Pittsburgh’s deer population. Let us lead by example and show that our city values the lives of all its inhabitants, human and non-human alike.

Sign the petition today and help us make Pittsburgh a city that prioritizes humane and effective wildlife management!