MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A legislator is ripping the state Department of Natural Resources for allegedly forcing firefighters to rescue a deer stranded on a frozen lake.
Republican Rep. Adam Jarchow tweeted Monday that a DNR warden "harassed" firefighters into rescuing a deer that had wandered out onto Balsam Lake. He said he would fire the warden for "being complicit in putting firefighters at risk, over a stupid deer."
Apple River Fire Chief Alec Adams says the Polk County Sheriff's Department contacted him Sunday asking whether he could save the deer. He told the county he didn't want to put firefighters at risk.
A DNR warden later called him asking him to rescue the deer and he complied. He declined to elaborate on the discussion.
DNR officials didn't immediately reply to emails seeking comment.
