Animal Rescue League Investigating Two Cases of Improperly Disposed Animals on Cape Cod

BREWSTER – The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is reminding the public that anyone who needs to find a final resting place for a beloved pet, or dispose of an animal carcass, to do so responsibly.

The reminder follows two discoveries of animals being improperly disposed of on Lower Cape conservation lands in the past five months. These two incidents prompted investigations by ARL’s Law Enforcement Department.

In October 2018, a deceased dog was found buried on conservation land in Orleans. A necropsy did not reveal a conclusive cause of death, but it’s likely the animal was buried there for sentimental reasons – animals may not be interred on conservation land, therefore this animal was illegally dumped.

In January 2019, a second discovery was made at Punkhorn Parklands in Brewster – this time a garbage bag, wrapped in duct-tape with fur protruding from the bag was found.

The animal found in Punkhorn Parklands was the pelt of a black bear cub. The pelt was expertly cleaned of all the meat and the head was removed.

No tags were evident nor were there visible wounds to indicate cause of death. Black bear hunting is legal throughout New England so it is unknown where the bear was killed, and a lack of tags makes it impossible to determine if the kill was properly reported. It was however dumped illegally.

In each of the aforementioned cases, the discovery of these animals triggered an investigation by ARL’s Law Enforcement Department, with notification and assistance from local and state authorities.

Neither situation demonstrated any direct neglect or abuse, and a lack of evidence makes it nearly impossible to determine who may be responsible; however the subsequent investigations resulted in a loss of time and resources for all parties involved.

“ARL Law Enforcement investigates animal cruelty and neglect throughout Massachusetts,” said Lt. Alan Borgal, Director of ARL Law Enforcement.

“We are on the streets everyday investigating potentially harmful acts against animals; and careless, insensitive incidents like this hinder ARL, as well as local and state authorities from helping those in need.”

Discovering disposed animals in this manner can also be traumatic to children or anyone else who comes across these scenes.

By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center 

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