Environmental conservation police on patrol: Deer rescued in Lewiston

Press Release & Photo Courtesy of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s division of law enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York state’s environmental conservation law, protecting fish and wildlife, and preserving environmental quality across New York.

On Nov. 6, environmental conservation police officers assisted the Lewiston Police Department following a report of an antlered deer that fell into a 10-foot-deep dry well and became trapped off Upper Mountain Road in the Town of Lewiston. ECO Scheer, along with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and the Niagara County tech rescue team, were able to hoist the deer from the well and release it safely without incident. The well was covered as a preventative measure.

Emergency crews rescue a deer trapped down a 10-foot-deep dry well in Niagara County. (Submitted photo) 

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In 1880, the first eight game protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York state. 

In the first half of 2025, DEC’s division of law enforcement fielded an estimated 45,000 calls. These resultes in ECOs and investigators across the state responding to more than 18,934 complaints, and working on cases that resulted in 9,440 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations. 

In 2024, the division fielded more than 105,717 calls, resulting in ECOs and investigators across the state responding to more than 30,109 complaints, and working on cases that resulted in 15,755 tickets or arrests for violations. 

“DEC environmental conservation police officers and investigators protect New York’s air, water, wildlife, and public safety, while also working to connect New Yorkers with the outdoors,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “As we tackle environmental threats on all fronts, I applaud the critical work DEC’s ECOs and investigators are undertaking to enforce New York’s environmental conservation law and ensure a cleaner, greener, safer and more resilient New York state."