It was a case of "fate" on a county road in Strathroy-Caradoc Tuesday evening, when a local officer nicknamed "Fonz" stepped in to rescue two newborn fawns whose mother had just died after being hit by a vehicle.
Staff Sgt. Jason Cartwright, with the Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service, told Sarnia News Today the crash happened on Calvert Drive, just west of Strathroy, at around 6:30 p.m.
"The officer arrived thinking that he was responding to a typical car versus deer collision," said Cartwright. "Unfortunately, on his arrival he noted that there were two baby fawns that he had determined were likely born right after the mother deer was hit."
The driver, who Cartwright said attempted to brake but was unable to avoid the collision, was uninjured and stayed on scene until Cst. Aaron Fonville (nicknamed Fonz) arrived.
"The afterbirth was there, and he (Cst. Fonville) said the little [fawns] couldn't walk, so he scooped them up and put them in the car and brought them back here [to the police station]. So, they were just born," Cartwright said.
"We sought some advice as to 'how do we care for these little guys?' So, the animal folks told us to keep them warm, keep them wrapped up, and that they were on their way to bring them somewhere to be cared for," he said.
Cartwright said the call was a first for the service, at least that he's aware of.
"I don't think it happens too often," he said. "So, kind of a special thing for the officers to be able to take care of that. There was a video floating around of one of the little fawns, he was still trying to learn to walk and he was walking around the police station. So, it was a really cool experience. Nice to have guests like that in our station."
Cartwright said the fawns were picked up by the Southwest Middlesex Animal Shelter in Glencoe.
In a Facebook post, the shelter said they helped transport the babies to Wings Rehab in Amherstburg, where they will stay for one year.
Cartwright said they've been told the pair have been named Baby Fawnz (after officer Fonville) and Baby Mave.
The collision serves as a reminder for motorists to be particularly alert during dawn and dusk when visibility is reduced, and when deer are most active.
"Especially this time of year when the farmers are in the fields and the machinery is moving around, the deer are moving and our county roads... there's a lot of deer present. Keep your speeds at the speed limits and do your best to pay attention and avoid striking these animals," Cartwright said.
