TIBURON, CA – A man was arrested after allegedly shooting and killing two deer Saturday in Marin County, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 5:20 a.m. on Mar East Street in Tiburon, an incorporated town in Marin. The Tiburon Police Department contacted Marin Humane reporting that a mother deer was killed and her fawn was wounded, according to the humane society. When an officer from Marin Humane responded to the scene, both deer were found dead.

Police arrested Mark Dickinson, 54, of Tiburon, on suspicion of felony animal cruelty, officials said.

Dickinson allegedly shot the deer with a pellet gun because they were eating bushes on his property, said Tiburon police Sgt. Steve Hahn.

"He said he was sick of the deer eating his expensive landscaping," Hahn said. The deer were found near Dickinson's property, though Hahn said it was unclear whether the deer were shot on the property and then ran, or whether they were first chased off the property and then shot.

Marin Humane removed the deer to examine their remains.



"We're extremely saddened and disturbed by this incident which caused great suffering to two animals whose only crime was eating vegetation," said Marin Humane CEO Nancy McKenney.

Hunting is illegal in Tiburon. It is illegal to shoot deer or other wildlife outside of designated hunting areas and without proper permits.

"If someone has deer on their property we can give them advice as to how to scare them off but usually, they don't need it, as deer are naturally skittish of people," said Marin Humane spokeswoman Lisa Bloch.

