Breaking! WAN Exclusive With Robert Lagonera Who Helped Save Baby Deer After Heroic Police Officer Performed Emergency C-Section After Mother Was Hit By A Car

It was an eventful Sunday morning for New Jersey Animal Control Officer Robert Lagonera, WAN spoke with Mr. Lagonera earlier today about what transpired after he responded to a 3:15am call yesterday morning regarding a deceased doe that was hit by a car. When Mr. Lagonera arrived at the scene, he was surprised to find Officer Jim Vernon from the Washington Township Police Department holding a “bloodied fawn” that he delivered during a heroic emergency C-section on the mother.

Lagonera, who is responsible for nine townships in the area, explained that he began vigorously rubbing the fawn’s chest to get its lungs working before taking the baby home to dry it off and keep it warm until he could transfer it to an appropriate facility for veterinary care.

“I called Antler Ridge Rescue,” Lagonera said, referring to a 120-acre animal sanctuary located in Warren County, New Jersey, that provides vital care and treatment to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. They said they would have to take the fawn to the Animal Clinic of Morris Plains so that it could be put in an incubator and fed colostrum to help it survive.

When WAN called the clinic to find out the status of the fawn, the animal practice’s manager Nancy Hreha told us that she had a “very happy” update!

Hreha told WAN that the baby deer was “doing terrific” and was currently preparing to be transported to Antler Ridge which will take over to care for the fawn. When she weighs 25 pounds, she will most likely be released back into the wild.

Hreha also explained that the remarkable clinic’s team of doctors donate their services in cases such as this, and had cared for an estimated 420 wildlife patients in 2017.

Lagonera told WAN that many deer are giving birth right now and that he received at least 12 phone calls last week alone about fawns needing help.

When questioned about the warning that people should not try to rescue wildlife, Lagonera explained that there are some incidents where people should intervene, but it is important for people to leave fawns alone for the first day they are discovered because the mothers may be out looking for food or hiding nearby.

If the animal is still there on the second day, Lagonera steps in to check on the fawn.

“I shake its belly,” Lagonera, who calls saving wildlife his passion, shared with WAN. “If I feel liquid swirling around, I know that the mom has been there recently. If the stomach is sunken in, sadly, the mom may have been killed.”

Fortunately, Lagonera did not hear from any of the 12 callers again that he had advised last week, which leaves him to believe the mothers returned for their young.

“You have to give nature a chance to do what it has to do,” said the much-appreciated animal control specialist who was recently recognized for his “good work” in a post on the Borough of Washington-Warren County’s Facebook page.

WAN commends Lagonera and his tireless work in saving wildlife, and applauds Police Officer Vernon, the doctors and staff at Animal Clinic of Morris Plains, Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary, and all of the compassionate people who help save the lives of innocent animals everywhere.

The animals need us and we are so appreciative of everyone that joins us in helping them. We will not stop until all animals are safe, respected and loved!