A school is mourning the loss of a baby deer as police search for the driver of the vehicle suspected of hitting the animal.
An injured baby deer found struggling on the side of the road early Tuesday was driven to the animal hospital by local law enforcement. It was found around 2 a.m. in the area of Southwest 72nd Ave. and 61st St. by South Miami Police officers with injuries to both of its hind legs.
The animal yelped as it struggled to stand before officers were able to wrap it in a blanket and place it in a squad car.
With a seat on a Miami-Dade cop's lap, the deer was taken to a nearby animal hospital for treatment and was initially expected to be okay, but eventually died.
Authroities said the deer belongs to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, where the deer was part of its animal sanctuary. Father Daniel Kubala was issued a written warning from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for allowing the deer to escape.
"It is a sad day for the children of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Miami," spokesperson Mary Ross Agosta said.
