Animal control officers in Muskogee, Oklahoma, responded to a heartbreaking call about a deer that had been struck by a vehicle.
Animal Control Supervisor Phil Blair and his coworker Jimmy Elliot arrived at the scene and quickly realized how serious the situation was. The female deer had suffered four broken legs and was not going to survive, so the officers made the difficult decision to end her suffering.
But just as they were finishing, Elliot noticed something moving inside the deer’s abdomen.
They realized she was pregnant.
Blair immediately sprang into action.
He rushed back to his truck for his gloves and a knife, determined to see whether he could save the unborn fawn.
“I rushed to the truck, grabbed my gloves and a knife, and got it out,” Blair explained. “I knew it wouldn’t survive if I didn’t do something.”
The tiny fawn initially struggled to breathe, and Blair feared it might not survive.
He carefully cleaned the newborn, cleared its nose and tried to help it breathe. Then, suddenly, the little deer began making noises.
When the fawn eventually tried to stand inside Blair’s truck, he knew there was hope.
Without its mother, the newborn would need specialized care, so it was transported to an animal rehabilitation specialist.
Thankfully, the little fawn began doing well under professional care.
What started as a tragic roadside accident ended with an unexpected second chance for a life that might otherwise never have had the opportunity to begin.
Muskogee spokesperson Tera Shows praised Blair for stepping in when the situation became unexpectedly difficult.
“Phil is truly an asset to the City of Muskogee,” Shows said, adding that his dedication and willingness to take action during such a challenging situation were deeply impressive.
Thanks to Blair’s quick response, the tiny fawn survived and now has the chance to grow up safely.
