(UPI) A herd of 14 Asia-native deer escaped from a private zoo in Michigan, and the owner said he believes they were released intentionally.

Joe Garvercik, owner of the Indian Creek Zoo in Bedford Township, said the 14 exotic fallow deer escaped through a hole in the fence that be believes was cut intentionally.

"Somebody physically cut it," Garvercik told WXYZ-TV. Don't know who did it but somebody did and it's pretty sad.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is investigating whether the deer were intentionally released in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

One of the deer returned to the zoo Tuesday afternoon, and the zoo said five more came back overnight. Eight deer remained on the loose Wednesday.

"I just don't need a deer out in the road and somebody gets hurt, you know, some young kid or old person," Garvercik said.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, prompted an investigation in 2022 that led to the zoo being fined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for animal welfare violations.

Debbie Metzler, senior director of captive wildlife for the PETA Foundation, said in a statement that "it comes as no surprise that these deer would want to flee from Indian Creek Zoo given this facility's disturbing history of animal welfare violations, including allowing sick deer to suffer without adequate veterinary care. PETA hopes these deer aren't going from the frying pan to the fire and if they are recaptured, they are sent to a reputable facility that will keep them safe and give them the care they deserve."

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