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Police find people responsible for dead deer at high school

By Suzanne Elliott 2 min read
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Peters Township police have identified four male juveniles responsible for leaving a spray-painted deer carcass near the driveway of Peters Township High School where district teachers have been picketing since late last month.

Police Chief Harry Fruecht said the incident was intended as a prank and was not aimed at the teachers, who have been on strike since Oct. 28.

“There was no intimidation factor involved,” Fruecht said. “They are remorseful of their behavior.”

The deer, which had “PT” spray-painted in blue on its side, was found by the school custodian late Nov. 16 on the sidewalk.

Fruecht said the juveniles, all Peters residents between the ages of 16 and 17, were identified by video and other methods.

It was not clear how the animal, a female deer, was killed. Fruecht said rigor mortis had begun to set in, and the corpse was beginning to emit an odor.

“We believe it might have been road kill,” he said.

Fruecht met with the parents of three of the youths Nov. 20 at the police station. It has not been determined yet if the juveniles will have to pay a fine or perform community service, he said. They are facing township criminal code violations, as well as state Game Commission violations, said Fruecht, who will meet with parents of the fourth juvenile within the next couple of days.

This incident marks the second time a dead animal was placed where the teachers have been picketing. In the early days of the strike, a dead squirrel in a plastic grocery bag was thrown at teachers.

The 285 striking teachers, who have been working without a contract since Aug. 31, are scheduled to return to the classroom on Nov. 27. To date, no additional negotiating sessions have been scheduled.

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