Christmas is coming early for denizens of Torrington.
The state Senate approved a bill which will allow the state to import reindeer after the Thanksgiving Day holiday and export them again before New Years Day.
Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-Goshen, introduced the bill because Torrington’s Christmas Village, a tradition for many in the state, just wasn’t the same without them this year. Three of the foundation’s four reindeer died last year.
The state Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environmental Protection opposed the bill because reindeer may carry chronic wasting disease into the state and transfer it to the state’s deer population. Meyer said the amendment which requires the reindeer to be inspected upon entry should ease the department’s fears.