22 deer 'humanely euthanized' at unpermitted Meade County facility

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than 20 deer being illegally held at an unpermitted Meade County facility were "humanely euthanized" Tuesday.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources said in a statement that the previous operator of the Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary illegally accepted 22 fawns into the facility's care.

This caused the facility to be in violation of a state regulation intended to limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.

In October 2024, Meade, Breckinridge, and Hardin counties were added to the CWD Surveillance Zone.

Officials said rehabilitation of deer is prohibited in counties within the CWD Surveillance Zone.

The deer were euthanized to limit the spread of CWD, an always-fatal neurological disease affecting white-tailed deer, elk, and other animals in the deer family.

"Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is committed to protecting the health of the state’s wild deer and elk herds," officials said in a statement. "While the agency regrets the need for euthanasia in this situation, regulations were put in place to limit the spread of CWD."

The public is also asked to avoid relocating fawns or other baby animals from the wild.

Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary said in a Facebook post Monday that their staff "raised these fawns with loving care and followed the regulations associated with the care and rehab with these animals."

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