Duluth Man Receives PETA Award For Saving Deer From Icy River
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- PETA is honoring a Duluth man who saved a deer from an icy river last week.
The organization says Steven Peterson will be receiving the Compassionate Action Award for saving the deer while on his way home from visiting family in Missouri for Christmas.
In a video that went viral on YouTube, Peterson, who is deaf, explained in American Sign Language how he pulled a deer from the Kettle River.
He said he was driving over a bridge on Interstate 35 on Monday when he spotted the deer crawling on the ice. Peterson said he felt like he had to do something, so he crawled onto the ice, tied a rope around the deer and pulled it to safety.
Peterson named the deer Miss Ice River.
"This deer was able to escape a prolonged, painful, icy death, thanks to Steven Peterson's kindness in setting about to save her life," PETA Senior Director Colleen O'Brien said. "PETA hopes his actions will inspire others to come to the aid of any humans or animals in need."
Along with a framed certificate, Peterson will get a box of vegan cookies, PETA said.