WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Some Worthington residents sharply criticized the city’s deer removal program during public comment at Monday night’s City Council meeting, raising concerns about safety, transparency and the impact on families living near approved removal sites.
The pushback comes as the city implements the program, which was approved last year following recommendations from a deer task force. The goal is to reduce the city’s deer population amid concerns about vehicle crashes, property damage and public safety.
Under the plan, trained federal wildlife sharpshooters will conduct targeted deer removals under a population control permit. Operations are scheduled to take place after dark on select weeknights over the next two months, only on pre-approved properties when parks are closed and public activity is minimal…