Search continues for deer killers

WAUPACA COUNTY, Wis. (WLUK) - The images from a farm field in the town of Lind won't soon leave DNR warden Ted Dremel.

"I would describe it as totally senseless," said Dremel. "I don't see any point on why somebody would try to do this or find any enjoyment out of it."

Dremel says five deer were run down and repeatedly run over by a group of snowmobilers.

"One I believe was still alive when it was dragged by a snowmobile and tied to a tree," he said.

Both the DNR and the Waupaca County Sheriff's Department say these individuals could face several charges, both civil and criminal.

"If you get into the serious stuff like cruelty to animals, it may be jail time," said Don Conat with the Sheriff's Department.

Investigators say they've received more than a half-dozen tips since the story went public. They've also received other calls from as far as Appleton and Oshkosh from people wanting to donate to the reward for information in the case.

"I am just appalled at what they did to these deer, it's just terrible," said Deb Lewis, Executive Director of the Fox Valley Humane Association.

The Humane Association contributed $500. Lewis says cruelty to any animal is unacceptable but calls this especially disturbing.

"Because we frequently see the mutilation and death of animals lead to other things like children and adults," she said.

The landowner has closed about five miles of the snowmobile trail where the incident happened. The DNR says the local snowmobile clubs and Recreation Department have talked about closing trails county-wide until the culprits are caught.

The snowmobile clubs are also contributing to the reward that could now total more than $10,000.

If you have any information about the incident you're urged to call the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-TIP-WDNR. Callers can remain anonymous.