Rudolph the deer on death row

The quest to save a baby deer continues after a teenager found the fawn in bushland near Mansfield and looked after it – before authorities seized it.

Andrew Foots, 19, is taking the matter to court after the resources department won a court order last week to kill the deer, which is called Rudolph.

The appeal won’t happen until February, with the animal being kept in a secret location.

‘I could not tell you how they found out … all they said was they had their resources,’ Andrew told Justin and Kate on 3AW Breakfast.

‘He’s a pretty cool animal. I spent a lot of time feeding him water and that.’

Kate: I have to ask, was he called Rudolph before the Herald Sun caught onto the story?

Andy: Yes!

Click play for the full interview.