22 deer euthanized at Meade County rescue due to risk of incurable disease

GUSTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Nearly two dozen orphaned fawns at a Meade County wildlife sanctuary have been euthanized.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife told FOX 56 it was necessary to curb the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, an “always-fatal neurological disease” that affects white-tailed deer.

Fish and Wildlife officials said that Meade County is among the 14 counties under surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease after being placed on the watch list in October 2024. The previous operator of Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary allegedly took the orphaned deer in after the fact.

“Rehabilitation of deer is prohibited in CWD Surveillance Zone counties, per administrative regulation (301 KAR 2:075),” Fish and Wildlife wrote. “With the cooperation of the new operators of the Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary, a wildlife rehabilitation facility, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources staff on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, humanely euthanized more than 20 deer being illegally held at the unpermitted Meade County facility in violation of a state regulation in place to limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).”

The wildlife sanctuary shared a video of the 22 fawns taking their bottles two days before being euthanized, stating they had no intentions of giving the babies up.

“This recent issue with Chronic Wasting Disease in the state of Kentucky is serious, but to our knowledge, these fawns have not been exposed nor will they ever leave our property,” Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary wrote. “Our 22 orphaned fawns are enjoying their bottles today. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to ask how they can help. We love our fawns, and our staff has been raising them since they were tiny. We’re doing our best to be hopeful and appreciate the support of our community.”

Rumors swirled in the community that the fawns would be shot, but the wildlife sanctuary and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife affirmed that this is not accurate.

In an update on Monday, Aug. 25, Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary said they were obligated to allow fish and wildlife on the sanctuary property.

“Our staff has raised these fawns with loving care and followed the regulations associated with the care and rehab of these animals. Thank you to everyone who has voiced their concern for these beautiful creatures. We are forever grateful,” the staff wrote.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife emphasized that Chronic Wasting Disease is a serious illness without a cure, and the public is asked to avoid relocating fawns in an attempt to rescue them.

“Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is committed to protecting the health of the state’s wild deer and elk herds. While the agency regrets the need for euthanasia in this situation, regulations were put in place to limit the spread of CWD,” Fish and Wildlife said. “The public is asked to avoid relocating a fawn or other baby animal from the wild in an attempt to rescue it. In almost all cases, the mother is nearby, and the baby animal has not been abandoned.”