OSAGE, Iowa (AP) – Mitchell County supervisors have decided to heed a request from the city of Osage to remove a road sign warning of “Suicidal Deer.”  The sign there and one north of St. Ansgar were meant to be attention-getters for motorists navigating areas with high deer populations. But in addition to attention, the signs gained criticism from some people who thought the signs made light of mental illness and brought up sad memories for those who lost someone to suicide.

Osage Mayor Steve Cooper had asked for the sign in his city of 3,600 people to be removed, so at its Aug. 2 meeting the board decided to replace the “Suicidal Deer” sign in Osage with a sign carrying a more conventional warning. The other sign won’t be changed.