By Scott Harvey
Quinlan – An entire herd of 75 white tail deer on a private ranch near Quinlan were to be killed off Monday by state officials due to their supposed threat to wildlife and livestock.
Game wardens say the captive and privately bread whitetail deer could be infected with chronic wasting disease, which is similar to mad cow disease. There have been a handful of cases in other states.
A report by WFAA-TV says it is believed the herd may have been infected by a deer that was illegally transported to Texas from Arkansas in 2002.
The animals cannot be tested unless they are dead. The breeders say the herd is healthy and the animals deserve to live.
James and Jimmie Anderton are currently serving time in federal prison for illegally transporting the deer.