WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Time running out for Pete the moose?
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Irasburg, Vermont - February 8, 2010
Time may be running out for Pete the moose. State Wildlife officials say keeping the moose in captivity is against the law and they are now exploring legal options.
Pete's supporters, near and far, are trying to save him.
"Come on Pete, come on old man," called David Lawrence, Pete's caretaker
The old man is Pete-- Pete the moose. He lives with elk on a 600-acre hunting facility in the Northeast Kingdom.
"We get along good," said Lawrence.
Lawrence found Pete injured after being attacked by dogs and nursed him back to health, bringing him to the facility, forging an unlikely and strong bond.
"He won't be two until the last of May," said Lawrence.
But the state has this moose in its sights; by living in the hunting preserve Pete is breaking a new law and could be killed.
"It's all because of this (explicit) about trying to kill every animal in here, and it gets to you and you can't help with it, you eat with it, you sleep with it," said his caretaker.
From Irasburg, to the world, Pete now has a vast network of supporters through social media, more than 5,000 friends on Facebook. Hollywood is a friend too. Actress Alicia Silverstone is campaigning to save his life.
"I am totally humbled by the public that have been so kind," said Lawrence.
There's even a song about Pete.
Beth White saw Pete's story on the news and called to help.
"Pete sort of embodies everything that people are tired of, they're tired of the government interfering with everything all the time," she said.
The Fish and Wildlife Department would not talk to WCAX about Pete. Commissioner Wayne Laroche said through an email he's currently exploring legal options and that it would be inappropriate for him to comment further on this issue at this stage.
"I don't know if they are buying ammunition, but they are thinking about it," said elk farmer Doug Nelson.
A new law last month requires hunting facilities get a permit, but to meet the law there can't be native animals inside the fence. Wildlife officials worry the imported elk will spread diseases to Vermont's native deer and moose population, and once infected with chronic wasting disease it could devastate the wild herd and the state's hunting tradition.
"What about people who say this is the law and you are breaking the law, why should they make a good exception for you?" WCAX Reporter Kristin Carlson asked Doug Nelson.
"Well I tell it took them 9 years to write a law to put me out of business because there wasn't that law back 9 years ago when I started," he replied.
While Pete's life is debated Pete stays busy. His caretaker says Pete's going to be a dad this Spring.
It would be Pete because she didn't have access to other moose," said Lawrence.
But time may be running out and Lawrence isn't sure how to say goodbye.
"I'm discouraged, I thought maybe I could make a difference, but maybe there is no difference to be made," he said.
Pete supporters argue the Douglas Administration is misinterpreting the new law, saying it does not require the slaughter of native animals in hunting facilities. Efforts to relocate Pete out of state have not been successful, because other states are also worried about the spread of disease.
Kristin Carlson - WCAX News
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