SONOMA COUNTY – On June 10, 2026, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that a suspect in Sonoma County was recently cited for unlawfully capturing and confining wildlife, a deer fawn. 

Wildlife Officer Cameron Blechert received a report that a group of individuals were seen taking a deer fawn from the wild and putting it in a cage. Officer Blechert responded to the location where the fawn was reportedly being kept and saw the fawn in a dog crate outside of a residence.

During the investigation, the suspects said they found the fawn in the wild and admitted to keeping it for more than three weeks. One of the suspects was issued a citation for unlawfully capturing and confining wildlife, and the fawn was transported to a permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility so it could be rehabilitated and released back to the wild when it is bigger and better able to care for itself.

It is illegal to keep deer in one’s personal possession.  Violations are a misdemeanor crime subject to penalties of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail. CDFW urges the public to leave baby deer where they belong – in the wild. Each spring and summer, CDFW and wildlife rehabilitation facilities are called to assist with fawns that have been removed from the wild by local residents and those recreating outdoors.

To report an injured, sick or suspected orphaned fawn, contact your local CDFW regional office directly: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Regions

“We thank our CSLEA and ACWO member, Wildlife Officer Cameron Blechert, for his investigation which has led to the release of this young wild animal. Like CDFW, we remind members of the public to respect nature and all that it has to offer, and to follow the law as it applies to California’s fish and game,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association President Alan Barcelona.