FWC to Investigate Discovery of Several Mutilated Animals

HERNANDO/PASCO – Over the last few weeks, R News has received multiple tips from residents regarding animal mutilations.

Several weeks ago, an Aripeka woman contacted R News after her daughter discovered a badly mutilated deer at the entrance to the Aripeka Preserve. The deer was skinned and dismembered, and the head was placed on a fence post.

On September 24th, Daina Simons says she called the Hernando County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) after discovering a decapitated pig in the area of California Street and Old California Street. She says neither agency responded to investigate the incident.

Last week, a deer was discovered at the intersection of Delaware Drive and Glover Drive in the River Country subdivision. The deer had been partially skinned and left in the middle of the road. The neighbor who found the deer reported it to authorities, and an FWC officer retrieved the animal.

R News contacted HCSO regarding the mutilations, but they declined to comment.

We contacted FWC Spokesperson Hailee Seely who told R News, "We checked with our Division of Law Enforcement and until you reported this to us, we did not have any information on this. Thank you for making us aware of this situation so we can look into this more."

Hailee urges anyone with information regarding these incidents or any other violations to contact FWC at 888-404-3922. Callers can remain anonymous.