Teen's Alleged Wildlife Misdeeds Posted to Social Media

Today, in unwise choices that make their way to social media: Oregon State Police say an 18-year-old has been charged with animal abuse and wildlife harassment after allegedly mounting and riding a mule deer buck as someone filmed him. The video was posted to social media, and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife alerted Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Troopers, reports NBC News. Jacob Belcher of Riley is being held at Harney County Jail.

Officials say the buck had gotten trapped in a fenced enclosure prior to Belcher allegedly approaching it. Police say the video depicts a "young adult male climbing onto, and eventually riding on the back of a live and exhausted mule deer buck." KATU reports the video shows the grunting, bleating animal trying to escape a number of times. The person who filmed the incident has been identified but not named and could also face charges. The buck eventually got out of the enclosure, though the Oregonian reports it jumped into a linked fence several times as it tried to do so. Its current status is unclear. (More animal abuse stories.)