FWC, Florida Deputy Arrest Two People After Discovering Three Endangered Key Deer Tied Up In Car

By  //  July 3, 2017

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy finds three living Key deer tied up in the back of a car after a routine traffic stop. (FWC Image) (Click Image To Enlarge)

MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA – Early Sunday morning, a car with a broken taillight was pulled over by a Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy.

He contacted MCSO when he discovered endangered Key deer bound with heavy twine in the vehicle.

When a FWC officer arrived on scene, he found two struggling hogtied Key deer in the back seat and another in the trunk of the car.

Backup arrived along with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer and they worked quickly to document the scene, gather evidence, safely untie and evaluate the endangered animals.

In order to prevent further stress to the deer, all three were released back into the wild.

Two of the deer ran off, and wellness checks are being conducted by USFWS on the third.

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The two men in the vehicle were arrested on multiple charges, including felonies and misdemeanors for injuring an endangered species, take of deer out of season and animal cruelty.

They were booked into Monroe County Jail.

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