Jim Hart and Khalil Abusakran, the two men who rescued the deer from the icy waters of the Patapsco River, deserve awards, not fines ("Rescuers fined after freeing deer from Patapsco ice," Dec. 18). That poor deer surely would have died if it were up to the Natural Resources officers, who clearly didn't want to get involved to save her. No one should stand around lollygagging when someone else — human or animal — is in danger and they can help. I have nothing but respect for the firefighter who recently rescued a dog who fell through a frozen pond up north. He said it made him feel good to be able to save a life. More people should be like these rescuers. I suspect the National Resources officers fined Messrs. Hart and Abusakran simply for showing them up and making them look like the selfish, heartless men they truly are. As far as my family is concerned, Messrs. Hart and Abusakran are heroes for saving that deer.
Joe Moore, Baltimore
