ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A deer found stranded on the ice of the Genesee River Wednesday has been humanely euthanized, according to the DEC.

Firefighters were initially called about the stranded deer on Wednesday, but determined the ice was too thin and unsafe to send crews in.

Rochester Police were then called after they say people were trying to go in to rescue the animal themselves. The DEC says because of that threat to public safety the deer was euthanized. 

The NYSDEC released the following statement:

"DEC joined [the] city of Rochester Police and Fire Department tonight in response to reports of a deer on the Genesee River just before the waterfalls. A joint determination was made during the initial deer sighting yesterday and tonight that there was no safe way to reach the deer because it was on unstable ice over moving water. Earlier this evening, due to an increased threat to public safety, DEC and local officials decided to humanely euthanize the animal following appropriate protocols."

Spectrum News is told the DEC determined the deer was too old, and a rescue attempt would be dangerous for the deer and rescuers due to the thin ice.