EAST PALESTINE Deer and dog carcasses found at lake

Animal remains and debris have been illegally dumped near the lake.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- City officials are seeking the aid of state game officers to determine if poachers are responsible for dumping several deer carcasses near the city lake.
Councilman Jeff Rowland told council Monday that a citizen alerted him to the problem.
"He told me this was something I probably should take a look at, but I wasn't prepared for what I found," Rowland said.
He said the remains of at least four deer and a dog lay among debris illegally strewn about the shallow-end shore of the lake. One carcass is wrapped in plastic and secured with industrial tape, he said.
Other council members said the deer could have been killed by poachers because Rowland said the carcasses did not appear to have the ear tags required when deer are taken legally.
Rowland said the area was too muddy to approach, but he took several pictures, which he passed around to council at Monday's meeting.
Reaction: Council members said the situation is intolerable, particularly on city-owned land. They said any violators should be punished to the full extent of the law.
City officials are planning to develop about 50 acres of city-owned property near the lake. City Manager Gary Clark has said the city had bought the property for a water well field but found a better water source elsewhere.
tullis@vindy.com