AMHERST (AP) -- Cemetery officials and community activists have settled on a solution to keep deer from impaling themselves on a spikey iron fence enclosing a western New York cemetery.
The plan is to install black, C-shaped steel brackets over the pointed spikes.
Preservationists had worried about altering the fence at the 200-year-old Williamsville Cemetery, but its president says the shields will barely be visible from the outside.
Over the years, several deer have impaled themselves while trying to jump over the 5-foot fence, forcing Amherst police to shoot them and remove their bodies.
Neighbors of the cemetery say they're relieved a solution has been found.
The cemetery will need about 4,400 of the shields, at a cost of $10 each, so donations are being accepted.
---
Online:
Williamsville Cemetery: www.williamsvillecemetery.com
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
