A man who vows to continue feeding deer despite a new city by-law is gaining support.
McKellar and Mission Island restoration Project president Jack Remus said the city’s decision to include the islands in its by-law that prohibits the feeding of wildlife is ridiculous. Watching carloads of families pull up to the tame deer to pet and feed them is a beautiful part of the island, which Remus said should be an urban park.
“It’s great joy for children it’s part of growing up,” he said.
The group is supporting Robert McCallum, whose property on Mission Island had at least 30 deer on it Thursday morning, and his decision to keep feeding the deer.
Remus said the islands should get an exemption from the by-law.
“I don’t think that the by-law should at all pertain to the islands over here but for the rest of the city and outside of the city I think that’s fine,” he said.
“There are major cities in Canada and the United Sates that would think this is great…to say ‘you can’t do this or you’re going to fine him’ or something like this, that’s just a stupid notion.”
Coun. Larry Hebert, who is part of the group, said the island is almost a deer sanctuary. And while he will be discussing the idea of exempting the islands with the city and fellow councillors, there need to be limits on what people should be able to feed the deer.
“I’d like to see it limited somewhat to what they’re being fed,” Hebert said.
McCallum said he’s been receiving lots of support from people in the past few weeks. And to be able to see and touch deer on the island is something a zoo can’t offer in the same way.
“I just can’t see why people wouldn’t like this,” McCallum said.
“Everybody I’ve talked to have all been on my side.”
If the city does approach him, McCallum said he will explain that he’s not going to stop feeding the deer.
He’s more concerned with poachers in the area, he added.
