On November 28-30, 2014, the Indianapolis Parks Department closed Eagle Creek park for three days, and brought hunters into the park to shoot and kill up to 350 deer.  A total of 142 deer were killed. 

This was done in order to reduce the deer population.  The Parks department decided this was necessary, without having a count of the total number of deer in the park, and based their decision on vegetation studies.  They also chose not to pursue more humane methods (such as PZP fertility control as recommended by the Humane Sociey of the United States), because of the cost involved.

Additionally, the Parks Board acted without the approval of the Indianapolis City County Council, even though the Council had requested a delay in the voting process.

Another deer kill is planned, with USDA Sharpshooters coming in at night to use night vistion equipment to hunt down and kill more deer.  This second round of killing is scheduled to take place during the week of January 12.

The City Council has since passed an ordinance to require the authorization of both the Parks Department and the City Council in order to use firearms or other weapons for killing deer in city parks, but the mayor has vetoed this bill.   The council does not have enough votes to override the veto.

With your support on this petition, hopefully we can convince the mayor and the board of Parks and Recreation to put a stop to this cruel and unnecessary violence in our once peaceful city park.