The Humane Society of the United States and The HSUS Wildlife Land Trust are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for illegally killing four deer and leaving the carcasses in fields in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, Pa. in October and November.
The Case:
According to a Pennsylvania Game Commission news release, the first deer, a large buck, was shot along Harrison School Road on the night of Oct. 15. The head and testicles were removed and the body was left in a field. On the night of Nov. 11, at least three more deer were killed in the same area with high-powered rifles and crossbows. The incidents all occurred in the area of Fort Indiantown Gap and Memorial Lake State Park. Officials are asking for help from the public to catch the poachers.
"This case illustrates the callous nature of poachers and their often flippant participation in a serious crime," said Sarah Speed, Pennsylvania state director for The HSUS. "The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Pennsylvania Game Commission for strongly enforcing anti-poaching laws."
Poaching:
Every year, thousands of poachers are arrested nationwide; however, it is estimated that only 1 to 5 percent of poachers are caught. Poachers kill wildlife anytime, anywhere and sometimes do so in particularly cruel manners.
The Investigators:
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the PGC's Turn-In-A-Poacher hotline at (800)742-8001.
The HSUS works to stop wildlife abuse across the country. Visit humanesociety.org/wildlifeabuse for more information.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
Since its founding in 1993, the Wildlife Land Trust has worked with private landowners to create 99 permanent wildlife sanctuaries where recreational and commercial hunting and trapping will always be prohibited. In addition, the Wildlife Land Trust works in collaboration with a variety of partners to protect many other vulnerable lands to benefit wildlife. Proud of its affiliation with The Humane Society of the United States, the Wildlife Land Trust joins in campaigns to protect wildlife from cruel and indefensible practices such as poaching, steel-jawed leghold traps, Internet hunting and canned shoots.
