CODY, Wyo. (AP) — A northern Wyoming town says police killed 51 deer last winter to reduce the number of animals as a safety measure.

That was one more than planned.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department granted the city a permit to cull the urban herd to prevent property damage and reduce the number of human-deer confrontations.

The deer were killed in 12 outings in January and February. City officials say officers killed one more deer than they realized on Feb. 7, resulting in the higher number.

Officials gave 46 of the deer carcasses to local residents who registered for the meat. The others were deemed unfit for consumption, including one that was found to have chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disorder.

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